Square Enix Denies AI Use in Kingdom Hearts Key Art
Square Enix clarifies that the controversial Kingdom Hearts Collection key art was created by humans, not AI.
The update
Fan backlash over the key art for the upcoming Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 has prompted a clarification from Square Enix. The publisher confirmed that no generative AI was used in the creation of the image, which was shared alongside the announcement of the trilogy’s release on Switch 2 and other platforms. Instead, Square Enix attributes the errors to a mistake by its development team.
Why it matters
The art sparked immediate debate online, with players pointing out anatomical inconsistencies—specifically Donald Duck’s hands—which fueled speculation that the studio was using AI tools to speed up production. This clarification is important for the game’s launch, as community trust in the quality of the remasters remains a key factor for players waiting for the Switch 2 release.
What to watch
While Square Enix has updated the assets to fix the most glaring errors, some fans have noted that other details, such as the muddy clocktower and Sora’s shoes, remain. The studio has not detailed the exact internal process that led to the errors.
Sources
- ign.com — Square Enix statement on human error and updated assets.
- gamespot.com — Context on the fan reaction and the specific details of the art.