r/custommagic • u/schylerwalker • Jun 29 '26

Discussion Enough Is Enough

I love this subreddit, this niche corner of the incredible hobby we are all obsessed with, so much. I rarely if ever post here anymore, but I still check the sub every day. It’s important to me. I love recognizing the flair of certain users, I love the trends and memes…even the Dreadmaw ones.

But as soon as I see AI art on your card, my eyes glaze over. I will scroll past. I will not read the text on your card, or if I do, I will not take it seriously. Magic the Gathering is one of the most in depth, intricate, creative games of all time. Deckbuilding and card design offers endless opportunities for expression.

“But I am not an artist! It’s not hurting anyone! Is it any different from just taking an artist’s work without their permission?” First of all, I assure you that 99% of artists don’t give a flying fuck if you use their art for a make believe Magic card on a small subreddit that costs them nothing. They might even be thrilled their art is being reused. Make even seen for the first time. As long as they’re being credited.

Second of all…Draw a stick figure. Write down the description of what you think it should look like. Use the prompt you WERE going to put into a soulless machine to write a poem for your card. Take a picture with your phone of your pet, a sunset, a tree on your street you like. Ask your artist friend to do a sketch. See if your mom or your dad or your sister will make a funny face for you. Upload an old meme. I genuinely don’t care.

But every time you use AI for your card’s “art”, you are granting power to a mindless, useless, regurgitating mass of drivel, theft, and consumption. You are surrendering an aspect of your own creativity, or denying us the opportunity to see a real human made piece of art on something you care about. You gave up the opportunity for collaboration and soul and care.

I don’t know, maybe I’m being dramatic. And I know the mods have been firm about not banning it, despite it being such a contentious subject. But not only do I believe it adds nothing to our community, I believe AI “art” rips out a little bit of its heart and soul every time it is used.

354 Upvotes

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65

u/endless-star rule zero is the only rule Jun 29 '26

Yeah, I'm not too sure...

88

u/Few-Ad-725 Jun 29 '26

i am! i like it

10

u/endless-star rule zero is the only rule Jun 29 '26

Glad you like it! I spent over 500 hours on the easel on it

17

u/PlushieYeen Jun 29 '26

I know you’re being facetious, but even if you weren’t, I would not care. If you spent 500 hours working on that piece, then that means you spent 500 hours creating, experimenting, and learning. Only good things will come from that.