Pokémon Disqualifies Contest Entrants Over Suspected AI Art Issues

Controversy Strikes Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest

One of the most beloved aspects of the Pokémon franchise is the Trading Card Game, appealing to both collectors and players alike. Recently, a highly anticipated Illustration contest offered prizes of up to $5k, with the top three designs set to be transformed into real Pokémon TCG cards.

Judges Under Fire for Rule Violations

Despite being a dream opportunity for many Pokémon enthusiasts, the competition faced backlash when it was revealed that several finalists had allegedly breached the rules. Out of thousands of submissions, only 300 images made it to the finals, each entrant required to adhere to specific guidelines to avoid disqualification.

Pokémon Takes Action

After concerns were raised by fans regarding rule violations, The Pokémon Company acknowledged the issue and proceeded to disqualify offending entries from the contest. An official statement confirmed the disqualifications and assured fans that new artists would be selected to replace the disqualified designs, maintaining the integrity of the competition.

AI Art Speculation and Rule Breaches

Speculation arose as fans noticed similarities in artists' names among the finalists, hinting at potential submissions exceeding the entry limit. Additionally, concerns were raised about the authenticity of some entries, with suspicions that AI may have been used based on perspective issues and unnatural elements in the artwork.

Looking Ahead

While disappointed by the rule violations, fans are pleased that the questionable designs will be substituted with entries from other talented artists. For more Pokémon updates, keep an eye out for the upcoming Pokémon Scarlet and Violet raid.