Earlier this week, news broke about new Fallout-themed merchandise supposedly headed to Target. Excitement buzzed among fans, but many are questioning whether some designs use AI-generated art—often called “slop.”
On September 2, a Reddit user posted a video showing them unveiling various Fallout items in a warehouse. They claimed these products might hit Target shelves in November or December. After the post was shared, it quickly vanished, likely due to the poster’s fears of backlash from Target. Kotaku managed to view it before it was taken down, and the merchandise appeared genuine. However, one item—a Fallout-themed hot sauce—seemed to feature AI-generated art on its packaging.
According to an article from PCGamesn, commenters on the leaked video pointed out oddities in the hot sauce design. In the artwork, a couple appeared to eat a Deathclaw’s hand, but the imagery raised eyebrows. For example, the man was seen awkwardly cutting a napkin with a strangely shaped fork. Fans noted that the Deathclaw hand appeared to float above the plate, adding to the surreal feel of the image. These quirks suggested that AI might have been involved in creating the artwork.
Kotaku reached out to Bethesda for comment on the leaked images but hadn’t received a response. It’s important to remember that Bethesda doesn’t directly create all artwork—they often contract other companies for these tasks.
The trend of using AI in advertising has surged in the past two years. Businesses are eager to adopt AI technology to keep their creativity visible to investors. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time fans have spotted peculiarities in official Fallout art that led them to suspect AI involvement. Despite these flaws, it’s unlikely that collectors will shy away from purchasing these items. In fact, such quirks may even enhance their appeal.
Recent surveys indicate that nearly 60% of consumers are now aware of AI-generated content, yet many remain indifferent about its origins. This suggests that, as AI continues to shape our world, we may see more entrepreneurs leveraging this technology, regardless of the reactions it evokes.
In this rapidly changing landscape, it’s clear that while AI has its critics, it also opens new avenues for creativity—even in the world of beloved gaming franchises like Fallout. The real question is, as AI continues to make inroads into our daily experiences, how do we balance innovation with authenticity?
For more on the impact of AI in marketing and its future, check out this report from the World Economic Forum.
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