Audiences Are Tired of "AI Slop." Blue Archive's Director Says Creatives Need Authenticity, Not Click-To-Create
Gamers are pushing back on low-effort AI. Yongha Kim-director of Blue Archive and CEO of Nexon-put words to that feeling: the problem isn't AI itself, it's how it's used. His point is simple: people buy taste, intent, and authorship. They can smell "slop" from a mile away.
What Kim Actually Said
Kim split the issue in two. First, "AI slop" happens when teams use generative tools to replace craft, not support it-the flashy package with a half-empty snack bag. Second, subculture audiences expect creative authenticity. Tools can simulate past work, but they don't carry intent or personality on their own.
He called current transformer and diffusion models "simulators." If you rely on a click to churn out results, you invite the question: where's the creator in the work?
Can AI Replace Humans Soon?
Kim defined "near future" as next year and said no. AI still can't consistently hit the quality bar required in production environments. Its utility as a tool is increasing, but it's not a drop-in replacement for human-made content.
Current Limitations He Flagged
- No continuous learning in production the way humans learn on the job.
- Limited context windows that cap how much the system can "hold in mind."
- Weaker performance outside text (images, voice, video) relative to what studios need.
- High training and usage costs.
- Hallucinations and shaky common sense, even when it sounds expert.
- Weakness at proposing genuinely new ideas-most systems optimize for consensus, not originality.
His takeaway: skip the blanket "use AI for everything" mindset. Define where it helps, where it hurts, and how it will be used-locally, concretely.
What This Means for Creatives
If your work depends on characters, story, or style-like Blue Archive fans-your audience expects a consistent voice. They don't want "clicked into existence" art. They want your taste, your decisions, your fingerprints.
AI is leverage. Authorship is the product. Keep both.
A Practical Playbook (Use AI Without Losing Your Voice)
- Set the rule: AI speeds up execution; humans own concept, taste, and final calls.
- Define "no-go zones" where AI isn't allowed (core character design, lore canon, flagship art, key dialogue).
- Use AI for drafts, reference boards, alt takes, and iteration-not the spine of the work.
- Build a style guide with do/don't examples. Prompt from that guide, not vibes.
- Enforce an "authenticity layer": human edit passes with clear checklists before anything ships.
- Credit your team and your tools. Transparency builds trust with fans.
- Run audience tests on small drops. Watch for "this feels off" signals and adjust.
- If you're a studio, invest in machine learning engineers and technical artists to support creators-don't replace them.
Bottom Line
AI is useful, but it's not your voice. People follow creators for intent, judgment, and taste. If the packaging gets shinier while the snack inside gets lighter, they'll walk.
Keep authorship at the center. Use tools to serve the craft, not stand in for it.
Resources for Creatives
- AI course paths by job for creatives who want faster workflows without losing authenticity.
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