It has been over a week since NetEase began facing backlash from the IDV community after COA IX’s Group Stage promotional video faced backlash over its blatant use of AI. This was followed by more art posters that featured AI elements. Yet there has been no response from the company who continue to release news and game updates as scheduled. This has led to some Identity V players expressing concern that there will be no reaction from NetEase.
Despite radio silence on NetEase’s end, Identity V players continue to urge others to boycott the game with many advising them to not log into the game or spend money on the game if they do log in.
However, this has stemmed some debate in the community. The boycott appears to not have proper organization as some players have expressed confusion on whether the boycott begins immediately or on April 23rd. This date is significant for two reasons: it is the start of the next season for Identity V and it is Painter’s birthday, a character obviously tied to art and one of the key characters in COA IX’s story which is ironically about fighting against an AI.
Another significance to Painter’s character is that he was originally created by a fan and player of the game, 昀了个晓 (Yun Xiao) for NetEase’s one and only character contest, Design Five, which was held in 2018 to celebrate original character designs with three being chosen to become playable in the game.
Source: 昀了个晓 on Weibo. Edgar Valden, the Painter.
There have also been reports of other players harassing artists, streamers, and others during the course of the boycott. Kuroshiro Gaming, a popular IDV YouTuber and one of this year’s COA Tournament casters for the NA/EU region, put out a statement over the harassment he and others have gotten as a result of the boycott. The below document is in response to backlash he received from some players over a video he posted on his YouTube channel detailing the above. The main complaint those who opposed his video had was that Kuroshiro had undermined the boycott and led those to turn away from it, a sentiment he didn’t agree with.
While the boycott appears to be contentious from all sides, the unity felt amongst the community in being loud and proud over anti-AI sentiments against NetEase is certain. From Twitter to Reddit to Xiaohongshu, the community has not let up from their protest against AI in their beloved game.
On Identity V’s Official Weibo, a post promoting the trailer for the next essence has comments protesting the use of AI and urging the company to protect the interest of consumers. These comments also mention the April 23rd date.
Source: IDV Official Weibo
Similar sentiments can be found on Identity V’s Official Xiaohonghsu (Rednote). When Hermit’s official birthday art was delayed past the usual time, many users expressed their impatience and derision over NetEase and their practices. Many made snide remarks about how even with the help of AI, the art was still delayed. Even when the art was finally dropped over an hour past the usual time, they remained dissatisfied.
Source: Identity V Official Rednote. One comment mentions the artist for Hermit’s birthday art has come out but I personally couldn’t find them.
Painter, Edgar Valden, is also being used as a symbol of the movement along with many other IDV characters. Yet, he is appears to be the bonafide face of the Anti-Ai movement which is quite fitting.
In addition to the community’s vocal backlash, Chinese news outlets have started to cover the commotion. The trigger for their coverage was the promotional art for Identity V’s Ivory Tower series for cosmetics for Lucky Guy and Seer. Unfortunately, many pointed out that AI was used in both posters for the two characters which was subsequently covered by some Chinese news sites.
Source: Zihu
Source: yzbw.net
These are just some sites that have covered the recent AI mess NetEase is spinning for themselves.
It remains to be seen if NetEase will come out with a proper response as we get closer to entering two weeks of nothing on their part. On a happier note, the recent art that has been coming out from the essence trailer to the recent birthday arts for Wax Artist and Hermit appear to be AI-free. We can only hope that this pattern that should have remained the norm continues with or without a response from NetEase.