WWE 2K24 cover artist responds to accusations of AI generated artwork

One of WWE 2K24’s cover artists has been forced to shut down accusations that he used AI in the design after fans flooded social media with complaints.

Wrestling fans, you’re in luck. Developer 2K has just dropped the first major details for their upcoming WWE 2K24 title. This news includes match types, confirmed roster, and much more. 

However, one aspect of the recent string of WWE 2K24 news that is getting major attention online is the cover art. While the standard features Cody Rhodes, and the deluxe has both Bianca Belair and Rhea Riplyer, the special Forty Years of WrestleMania edition includes many big-name wrestlers like Stone Cold, The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, and more.

After this new design was revealed by 2K, fans were quick to take to social media and claim that the new art may have been developed by AI, pointing out specific parts of the design such as Stone Cold’s suspicious fingers or John Cena’s jumbled shirt pattern as being evidence to support the theory that the art is AI created.

To clarify, this #WWE2K24 art isn’t AI-

This was done by the great Jonathan Bartlett, the very talented artist who does all the art for my stuff at The Ringer. pic.twitter.com/fSu2ww9Z4m

— Northwest Cee (@CeeHawk) January 22, 2024

In light of this, the cover art designer Jonathan Bartlett, has taken to social media to defend his design and reveal that 2K did not in fact use AI to create the new visual.

On social platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Bartlett defended his design and also pointed out his stance on the use of AI in gaming and revealed that he is strongly against it.

but honestly, im gonna triple down on my FUCK A.I, because this is what we deal with now. Skepticism from others that will be quick to jump to a conclusion with out giving it thought. And now here I am defending my hard earned AND learned craft of picture making. https://t.co/oEV7Fqnsec

— JONATHAN BARTLETT✍️ (@Bartlettstudio) January 22, 2024

“Ummmmmm HI. this is 100000000% human-made, by me,” Bartlett began.

“Honestly, I’m gonna triple down on my F**K A.I, because this is what we deal with now. Skepticism from others that will be quick to jump to a conclusion without giving it thought. And now here I am defending my hard-earned AND learned craft of picture making.”

Some fans who first accused the game and artist of using AI in the design have since apologized to Barlett. 

One X user wrote, “Sorry that happened to you dude, and I’m sorry that I also thought it was AI at first. I think a lot of artists are paranoid now because we’re seeing more big brands trying to use AI and are looking deeper into work to see if a company is trying to use AI art.”