Hasbro’s CEO Chris Cocks Makes a Pro AI Statement About Dungeons & Dragons and It Makes No Sense At All For Fans

For many, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is more than just a tabletop role-playing game, it is a cultural event that has captivated them for decades. The game has become synonymous with creative imaginations, immersive storytelling, and collaborative gameplay among players, allowing them to role-play as heroic characters in a fantasy world.

So, when Chris Cocks, CEO of Hasbro, recently spoke about integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into D&D‘s development and gameplay, it started a huge wave of concern among the dedicated fanbase. The reason behind this discontent is due to the delicate nature of the gameplay. While AI has its pros, integrating it into this game has the potential to ruin the personal touch that has defined it for years.

Fans Concerned After Chris Cocks Spoke About AI in Dungeons & Dragons

In a recent appearance at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia & Technology Conference, Hasbro’s CEO, Chris Cocks, took to the stage and shared his ambitious goals. He claimed that AI will play a huge role in shaping and innovating Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) in the future.

Although this vision of integrating AI into the game feels like a forward-thinking approach, for many D&D players and enthusiasts, it doesn’t make much sense, as it seems like a departure from the game’s beloved traditions of crafting a unique experience with their own hands.

So when Cocks enthusiastically discussed how AI is already playing a significant role in Hasbro’s operations, it raised many red flags for gamers. His reasoning behind this decision was to streamline larger processes and reduce production costs.

However, what was even more concerning is that his excitement about AI’s potential didn’t stop there. He added that his gaming group already uses AI for various campaigns and character development. His exact words were:

I play with probably 30 or 40 people regularly. There’s not a single person who doesn’t use AI somehow for either campaign development or character development or story ideas. That’s a clear signal that we need to be embracing it.

This statement made fans very and they are now expressing their frustration on the various platforms.

Of all the things Chris Cocks said during his pro-AI speech, his comment about playing with “30 or 40 people” is the funniest and most infuriating.

He was trying to sound relatable but couldn’t be bothered to even check if the statement made sense. pic.twitter.com/pDCDlRzLi4

— Starshine Scribbles (@Starshinescrib) September 11, 2024

Some fans are frustrated, finding playing D&D that way boring and lame.

Taking it at face value for a moment: not one to criticize how a table plays, but that sounds like a really lame table to play at.

Also, just because he and his 30-40* rich buddies play DnD that way, doesn’t mean it should be forced upon other tables.

*alleged

— Brandon Smith #StandWithAnimation (@bcbranman) September 12, 2024

While some are mocking the CEO and saying he doesn’t know the game’s player base.

Peak CEO logic. “I know a lot of people who do it, therefore, this is a signal that means something for EVERYBODY.”

Others are disappointed by the approach of the companies.

That’s really disappointing, but par for the course for WotC and Hasbro.

Some are saying AI will disrupt players in expressing their creativity and they don’t want that to happen.

I’m convinced he only games with employees from a certain software company out of Redmond. Not one of my group of 10 or so players (two groups) uses AI. Heck, most of us game because we want to express creativity, not look for shortcuts. But to each their own.

According to Cocks, the use of AI by his gaming group shows a clear indication that AI technology is ready to be embraced on a larger scale. At first glance, these statements might show the new era of innovation for D&D. However, for many fans the thought of AI taking control signals a conflict against the game’s core essence, which has long been about human imagination and interaction.

Fans Worried About the Future of D&D With AI

Since its release in the 1970s, D&D has thrived on the personal touch of Dungeon Masters (DM) and players who meticulously craft their unique narratives and character arcs. So when the prospect of AI controlling these significant aspects of this creative process was discussed, players immediately were worried about the diluted results.

It is given that AI can generate diverse ideas and has the potential to assist in development but many players worry that it will remove the charm that lies in the imperfections of human imagination. Another concern with AI is the loss of creators and their hard work.

Even though Cocks promised to be responsible and pay the creators, it might lead to more cost-cutting at the expense of quality and originality. His exact words were:

We need to do it carefully, we need to do it responsibly, we need to make sure we pay creators for their work, and we need to make sure we’re clear when something is AI-generated.

In the end, as the players are waiting for the major shift in their beloved franchise, only time will tell how this new approach of integrating AI will impact the experience of Dungeons & Dragons.

What do you think about using AI in D&D? Do you agree with Cocks’ statement? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.