• Displate, an online marketplace for collectible metal posters featuring licensed art from brands like Marvel and Star Wars, has denied using generative AI in its official Warhammer 40,000 Fulgrim Limited Edition artwork.
  • Fans identified potential AI indicators, such as misaligned geometry, prompting popular YouTuber Luetin to remove a promotional post and advise caution to buyers.
  • Displate attributes the 'red flags' to human error during production revisions, where a small cut-off edge from an earlier adjustment was not fully repainted.
  • The company emphasizes that all licensed artworks, including Limited Editions, are created by real artists and held to high standards.

Quick Summary

Displate has denied accusations of using generative AI in its official Warhammer 40,000 Fulgrim artwork, attributing spotted anomalies to human error.

The controversy arose when fans noticed potential AI signs in the $149 3D-printed Limited Edition poster, leading Luetin, a prominent Warhammer YouTuber, to pull promotional content.

Displate clarified that the artwork was digitally painted by an in-house artist, with the issue stemming from production oversights. The company is offering replacements to affected customers and reaffirms its commitment to human-created art.

This response addresses community concerns about AI infiltrating beloved franchises like Warhammer 40,000, known for its grimdark aesthetic shaped by artists such as John Blanche.

The Controversy Emerges

Displate faced scrutiny last week after fans examined its Fulgrim Limited Edition artwork for signs of generative AI use.

The $149 3D-printed poster, part of official Warhammer 40,000 licensed art, drew attention due to misaligned geometry in a specific area.

Luetin, a popular Warhammer 40,000 YouTuber, highlighted the issue by removing a promotional post.

Luetin noted the speculative nature of the concerns but advised buyers to evaluate the artwork themselves and consider refunds if needed.

  • The post circulated widely in online Warhammer communities.
  • Analysis focused on circled parts showing potential AI artifacts.
  • Luetin expressed disappointment, praising other Displate 40K artworks owned.
I have no way of confirming this, so I must underline this remains entirely speculative. But based on just the potential for this, I have removed that post - and until I can get a clear answer one way or the other - I do not currently intend to work with them again in the future.
— Luetin, Warhammer 40,000 YouTuber

Displate's Official Response

Denial of AI Involvement

Displate directly addressed the accusations on its subreddit, stating no generative AI was used in the Fulgrim piece.

Company representative WallOverthePlace explained the artwork was created by one of their top in-house artists as part of the licensed Warhammer project.

The flagged area resulted from a human error: a small cut-off edge from an earlier revision was not fully repainted before final delivery.

Quality Control and Commitments

Displate described the Limited Edition process as long and complex, involving multiple revisions like repaints and composition changes.

The mistake should have been caught during quality control, and the company takes fan concerns about AI seriously.

  • All licensed artworks are created by real artists, internal or external collaborators.
  • Limited Editions represent the highest-tier releases with strict standards.
  • No AI-generated art has been or will be used in official products.

Background on Fulgrim and Warhammer 40,000

Fulgrim is a prominent character in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, one of the Emperor's 20 genetically-engineered Primarchs.

He played a key role in The Horus Heresy, the civil war foundational to the setting, and recently returned as the Daemon Primarch of Chaos god Slaanesh with new models and lore.

The franchise's art, shaped by artists like John Blanche, defines its grimdark aesthetic and is central to fan appreciation.

Official Warhammer 40,000 products, such as codex rulebooks, feature stunning human-made illustrations packed with lore.

Fans view any AI involvement in official art dimly, given the setting's reliance on evocative, enduring human creations from Games Workshop and partners.

Customer Remedies and Broader Context

Remedies for Customers

Displate invited customers with shipped orders to contact them for a replacement, including the same Limited Edition print run number and certificate.

Those preferring the original variant can keep it, with full respect for that choice.

Unshipped orders will receive corrected versions after the New Year.

AI Debates in Entertainment

The incident reflects wider industry tensions over generative AI in entertainment.

Recent examples include a video game stripped of a Game of the Year award due to AI use and backlash against another developer's AI plans.

Displate appreciates community standards and apologizes for the confusion caused.

In conclusion, this resolution underscores the value placed on authentic artistry in franchises like Warhammer 40,000, reinforcing trust between creators and fans amid evolving technology debates.

"no AI was used in the creation of this piece."

— WallOverthePlace, Displate Representative

"We understand why this raised red flags, especially given how strongly fan communities feel about AI, and we take that seriously."

— Displate Company Statement

"We appreciate the community holding creators to high standards - that same standard is exactly what we expect of ourselves, and we’re sorry for the confusion this caused."

— Displate Company Statement

Frequently Asked Questions

Was generative AI used in Displate's Fulgrim artwork?

Displate denied using generative AI, stating the artwork was digitally painted by an in-house artist and anomalies resulted from human error in production.

What remedies are available for customers who purchased the Fulgrim poster?

Shipped orders can receive replacements with the same print run number; unshipped orders will get corrected versions after the New Year. Customers may keep the original if preferred.

Why did fans suspect AI in the Warhammer 40,000 artwork?

Fans spotted misaligned geometry and other red flags in the image, leading to speculation, though Displate attributed it to a production oversight.