LogInThe results are in: AI tools still struggle with game art, with just 2 of 34 deemed OK for use in production.
Disclaimer/Room 8 Group's stance on AI: At Room 8 Group, we're committed to creating top-quality game assets that are also copyright-compliant – which is why we're always on the lookout for new tools and methods to improve our workflows. AI is a hot topic in game development, and while we believe it has potential, we see it as just one small piece of the puzzle – something that can never replace creativity.
The AI tools we reviewed in this report were tested within a broader production pipeline, not as standalone solutions, as we firmly believe that generative AI can only complement human skill and creativity; careful oversight from skilled professionals is necessary. At Room 8 Group, we carefully integrate AI into specific stages of production – while keeping the final polish, creative vision, and quality firmly in human hands.
The initiative we explored in this report isn't just about testing AI – it reflects our dedication to encouraging the learning and development of our specialists internally, as well as our commitment to sharing knowledge. We want our team to keep up with the latest advancements, adapting to new technologies and enhancing their skills. Still, it's important to remember that every new technology comes with both strengths and limitations, and AI is no exception.
We also prioritize transparency and compliance, ensuring our partners are informed about the solutions we use in our workflows – both online and offline – and that they all meet legal standards.
Compared to what was available just a few years ago, generative AI art has improved a lot. But these tools are still only useful for specific, carefully defined tasks – and only with human oversight. There is no AI tool that can produce game-ready art by itself, and there won't be anytime soon.
For Game Artists, it isn't as easy as punching instructions into a genAI tool and using the results. Very few tools are even close to good enough. Game Artists must also consider whether a tool:
- is legally safe to use (i.e. was the training data for an AI model legally obtained);
- guarantees privacy and/or ownership of art that is created by the tool;
- provides the requisite level of control over the resulting art for the inputting party;
- and much more.
Given genAI's still-significant shortfalls in the context of game development, if game-makers want to see whether the technology can make their lives easier, it's important they use only the most appropriate tools – and that they know where and how to incorporate these tools into their pipelines.
That's why we at Room 8 Group have conducted a review of 34 genAI art tools – in the context of 2D and concept game art only – which you can download here. Here's what we found.
Room 8 Group’s review of genAI models for 2D game art
Broadly speaking, we reviewed the 34 genAI tools according to four main criteria:
- Quality
- Control (how precisely the tool generates artwork according to a prompt; its controllability for the inputting party)
- Legal
- Cost
We provide more methodological information, such as the full list of tools assessed, in the report. We found that few tools could even be considered beyond an initial screening. In fact, less than half of the 34 tools passed our initial check, where we mostly assessed legal context and basic art capabilities.
We eventually whittled it down to four tools that showed some potential. However, only two were viable for use in production. You'll find more details on those in the report (and in the following section).
Some key takeaways
Few genAI tools for 2D/concept art provide the requisite control or produce the requisite quality to be considered seriously by game devs. The usefulness of AI tools depends heavily on the stage at which they are being used. We found that the best stages of 2D/concept art production to use genAI are moodboard creation/ideation/art direction and rendering. GenAI is, at present, wholly unsuitable for some stages of the 2D/concept art pipeline, such as polishing.
We've tested the two most functional tools on real projects (with explicit partner approval), helping to streamline certain tasks and improve efficiency. For one partner, we used a custom AI-driven image generation mini-model to create dynamic illustrations of a group of pre-existing fictional characters. We were able to cut the amount of time needed for the project by 30%–50%, with the final project taking just over seven days to complete, rather than the anticipated 12.
For another partner, we used the same custom AI-driven image generation mini-models as before, along with a second tool, to help design environment concept art in the form of surreal fantasy landscapes. With the second tool, we were able to cut the amount of time needed by over 40% while still maintaining control over the art style and the image's level of abstraction.
Putting the results into action
We at Room 8 Group are a leading external game developer; we work with other devs to help bring their games to life, which includes providing art solutions for hundreds of games a year. We originally conducted this review for our own use, looking for ways to make 2D art production more efficient for both us and our partners. As such, these findings are directly applicable to game companies.
We've set up a 10-step training course for our specialists internally to better understand how to use genAI tools responsibly. When working with partners' IPs as our artists do daily, it's crucial to understand how to use genAI in a legally responsible way that also produces art of the highest possible standard.
One important thing for 2D Artists to keep in mind about genAI: it works best when used iteratively rather than as a one-click solution. The process of producing ideas and base art with genAI is highly iterative: it involves leveraging its ability to render, understand patterns, and tap into a giant visual database and disregarding or fixing what it does poorly, like complex geometry (think subtle visual incoherence, like extra fingers).
Download our report – the best generative AI tools for 2D game art – today. And if you want to know how Room 8 Group can help your company, get in touch.