The digital trading card game Champions of Otherworldly Magic has invested $90, 000 in card art, all of which has been paid to a single "AI artist" who receives a monthly salary of $15, 000. This artist dedicates less than two full work days per month to the project. According to a post from the official Champions TCG account, "We pay our AI artist 15, 000 USD per month for exactly 10 hours of work. In that time, he still produces an extensive amount of incredible artwork—significantly faster than any team of traditional artists. The art is 100% AI generated and exhibits a high level of quality, with no errors or generic designs. It includes consistent evolutions, skins, and alternative art styles that are unparalleled. Our focus is solely on ensuring that the end user enjoys our game. " In an interview with PC Gamer, Miles Malec, co-founder and CEO of Champions TCG, stated that the artist has created over 1, 000 images using generative AI in six months, receiving $15, 000 each month. This anonymous artist possesses 15 years of digital art experience and does not use social media. Malec explained, "To achieve this level of quality with a team of traditional artists would cost us significantly more money and time. This artist is a professional who charges what they are worth. We have connections in the industry, and no one else comes close to their level of delivery. " Champions TCG has generated approximately $500K in card sales to date.

Its unique selling point is that its cards are Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) that can be traded or purchased using cryptocurrency. However, the developer also sells "gems, " which can be exchanged for card packs using regular US dollars. The majority of revenue has come from credit card transactions. Contrary to the earlier claim that the card images are "100%" AI generated, Malec mentioned that they are also edited by hand to ensure no errors or extra elements are present. "AI can do the bulk of the work and initial generation, but manual editing and filtering are crucial. " The full collection of Champions cards can be viewed on their website. The illustrations occasionally have issues with claws and paws and may resemble images seen before, but they are acceptable. Those unaware of their AI origin might mistake them for generic cards inspired by companies like Blizzard or Riot. Champions' official account defended the card images when challenged by a user who claimed that their AI prompt writer's work could be done by a kindergartener. The account responded by emphasizing the skill and talent required. Despite my personal skepticism towards the $1, 500 hourly rate for this work, regardless of the skill and talent involved, it is clear that we have moved swiftly from the theoretical phase to the implementation of generative AI in games. Major game publishers, including Wizards of the Coast, the creator of Magic: The Gathering, have also incorporated AI-generated images in their marketing. However, unlike some of these companies, the Champions developer shows no remorse for using a tool that many consider unethical. Instead, the company has challenged artists to complete a series of "art tests" within 48 hours, stating that anyone who can match the quality of their AI prompt writer will be considered for a position as their assistant.