Will Marapets Going Deep in Using AI Generated Art Works Make or Break Their Brand?

[Heatman]

There's no doubt or questions about the popularity of Marapets because the free virtual pet site game is the next big thing after Neopets. How engaging and immersive Marapets have been for years is what have kept it going head to head with their toughest competition Neopets in the virtual pet game's genre.

There's always the need to upgrade on the game and introduce new features but doing it right is the most important thing. This begs the question on what it looks like Marapets is doing with their game's art works because there have been indications by many players of how their team is using AI generated art works, colour and background design.

There have been multiple mentions like this particular one by this Reddit user called imissclub_penguin on this subreddit where he questioned the design and also color used in the art work. A lot of users citied same thing which means that it's a trend being introduced quietly by Marapets into the game.

imissclub_penguin analysed the bag's design by saying this ;

"Look at the symbol on the bag. Usually in cartoons robbers have bags with big dollar signs on them. This one is not a dollar sign, it's not a coin, it's not MP. It's just gibberish. A real artist wouldn't make it like that since it's such a simple detail."

Ian Smetham who's the founder and lead admin of Marapets was accused by so many users for being a shady person.

theartybadger stated under the same thread that ;

"I honestly wouldn't be surprised if some items were AI shortcuts or incorporated. Last I heard (a few years ago mind you), Ian didn't actually pay the artists that made items. If he still doesn't, it'd make sense cutting corners. There are however actual artists who do the pet drawings as far as I know, I can't remember who it was/is though".

Cilantroe was more critical of Ian Smetham business practices with the comment ;

"Wasnt Ian known to be seriously chincy on paying artists in past years, and tried negotiating ridiculously low payments for large amounts of art, or even trying to not pay at all. He’s also been charging high amounts for account upgrade items (the Deca account upgrade for 12AU with only 1 in 4 chance of getting one).

I think it’s highly likely he would use AI to eliminate paying artists altogether. The site is a money grab for him these days, he seems to have lost his passion about it".

If all these are true, it's definitely a shady business practice by Ian Smetham if you'd ask me. It would never go unnoticed.

Also this user Sea-Message-8551 on Reddit in his own findings pointed out how a particular art work's design and its background looks purely AI generated.

A user by the name Gob1inDaddy comment was ;

"I remember Ian saying he's used AI for text based things, but he also didn't seem happy with the results at the time

It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of this plot is AI 💀

But like, I'm too afraid to ask bc I don't wanna lose my account for asking if it's not hah".

Another user by the name 0f1f3d was really frustrated with the comment ;

"That's garbage. I think the story is written by AI too. It's largely nonsense. A load of random, minor updates shoehorned into a nonexistent plot.

I used to have a pretty decent account but the nonstop treasure chests, maps for pyramids, maps for games, endless re-releasing of old items with the obscenely expensive time machine tokens, capsule machine tokens, cash grab put me off.

Now with all the pointless new items, most of them I suspect AI generated, 101 gumballs, cyber versions of zillions of things, voodoo companions... All on limited release because of the weather 🙄 I care less and less about missing stuff".

With all these observations and questions by many loyal Marapets fans, it's not going to be in the best interest of Marapets to keep giving their players more reasons to keep doubting and questioning their plot, designs and art works to be AI generated.

No one really appreciates wasting their time on any AI generated content which is why I believe that if Marapets doesn't thread carefully with how they go down this their new path, it's going hurt their brand more than it can help it.

 

[Baw$e]

Time will tell. I think it's cool that AI can generate pets like that. Maybe there'll be a ton more pets available with AI.

 

[Noah]

AI is cool for certain uses, like in the medical field, but I don't want to see it on virtual pet sites. Pet sites and artists go together like bread and butter, always have - you're going to upset folks if you choose to use AI vs all of the talented humans out there. Santae, IMO, really shot itself in the foot using AI. I'm disappointed to see Marapets go this route but I'm also not surprised. Even more insulting, neither of these sites can use "affordability" as an excuse - they could easily afford human-generated art, they just didn't want to for one reason or another.

 

[Demon_skeith]

I don't think AI will save anything, it can make things easier but you need the human element to make things work.

 

[Heatman]

AI is cool for certain uses, like in the medical field, but I don't want to see it on virtual pet sites. Pet sites and artists go together like bread and butter, always have - you're going to upset folks if you choose to use AI vs all of the talented humans out there. Santae, IMO, really shot itself in the foot using AI. I'm disappointed to see Marapets go this route but I'm also not surprised. Even more insulting, neither of these sites can use "affordability" as an excuse - they could easily afford human-generated art, they just didn't want to for one reason or another.

It's just like some people have alleged that Ian have a habit of not paying designers he hired on the job, if that's the case, he's definitely looking at getting all the art works with the help of AI free of charge.

 

[cpvr]

Time will tell. I think it's cool that AI can generate pets like that. Maybe there'll be a ton more pets available with AI.

I don’t see Marapets releasing any new pet species in the near future honestly, probably not anytime soon either. It’s been around 5–7 years since they last introduced a brand new pet, and lately, their focus seems to be more on pushing out new pet colors instead. Makes sense too, since a lot of their existing pets still don’t have all their color sets completed.


Right now, there’s about 28–30 regular pets you can create right off the bat, plus another 28–30 that are limited edition, and around 16–18 that are restricted.

Limited edition pets aren’t available all the time, you usually have to earn them through special events, tasks, or random in-game rewards. You can’t just make one like you would with a regular pet.


Restricted pets are way rarer. They typically show up through Account Upgrades or by buying potions from other players. They’re definitely harder to get, but still obtainable if you know where to look or have the right items.





If anything, I think Marapets would re-release an older restricted pet before they roll out a brand new species. That’s kind of been their pattern for a while now.


It’s also worth noting that most of the older pet designs were done by their original artist and co-founder, Laimay. From what I know, she’s no longer working with the site. But they’ve brought in a newer artist named Koichi, who’s been behind some of the recent artwork updates and revamps.

 

[Ittermat]

I have Ai generated backgrounds on my site for the themes right now for placeholders till I can get them replaced.. but they are placeholders.. I have a friend of mine Im planning to ask to redo them when she has time and I admit the Ai ones are a good guide for sort of what Im looking for.. but when i can replace them I will. I prefer REAL art any day of the week over Ai.. but when i need a placeholder.. I suppose its ok. I also use it for code help- but i dunnno who doesnt.. and sometimes for a bit of ideas bouncing. but when it comes to art? placeholders only. Other wise Real art always wins.

 

[uptrendfinancialsignal]

AI generated art is improving and there's no doubt but the adoption of AI generated art by Marapet can bring both positive and negative impact to the platform. It can offer more creativity and bring in new possibilities but it will lose human touch which is very important.