Slay the Spire 2 Studio Explains Its 'Garbage' Placeholder Art Over AI

Why Not AI Placeholders?

Yano argued that generative AI removes authorial intent, meaning some of the communication the studio wanted to convey would be lost if it relied on AI-generated images instead of hand-drawn concept sketches. He also described the approach as a form of self-preservation, reasoning that without clear signals of the game's incomplete state, audiences might evaluate it as though it were a fully developed 1.0 release.

The coverage further notes that the sketches were intended to help avoid confusion among both players and other artists. Yano said prioritization centered on ensuring players form an emotional connection to the content while also recognizing what each element is.

A Wider Industry Debate

The explanation lands amid ongoing debate across the gaming sector about the role of AI-generated art. TechPowerUp points to a growing list of titles that have drawn criticism for using AI-generated placeholder art, citing Pearl Abyss's Crimson Desert, The Alters, and the award-winning Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

The discussion carries relevance well beyond any single market. Studios and players across Europe, Africa, and other regions are increasingly weighing how generative tools fit into creative pipelines, particularly during Early Access phases where expectations and transparency matter. Mega Crit's stance illustrates one alternative model: using visibly unfinished human-made art to set player expectations rather than deploying polished AI stand-ins that could blur the line between draft and final work.

As of this reporting, the studio's approach reflects a specific development philosophy rather than an industry-wide standard, and sources do not indicate any wider policy shift.