Taito Faces Backlash for Using AI to Alter Vintage Darius Arcade Photo: Implications for Video Game Art Preservation

Taito, the legendary Japanese developer behind numerous classic arcade titles, is currently under scrutiny within the video game community after posting an AI-altered version of a historical photograph featuring the iconic Darius arcade cabinet.

The incident, initially reported by VGDensetsu and amplified on social media, has ignited a broader conversation about the preservation and authenticity of vintage video game materials in the age of artificial intelligence. The controversy centers on a black-and-white photo taken at the 24th AM Show in Japan, held on October 7th and 8th, 1986, which originally captured Japanese players gathered around a Darius arcade unit upon its unveiling.

To commemorate the event, Taito shared a 'colorized' version of the image on their official social media channel.

However, rather than a faithful restoration, the image had been processed with generative AI, resulting in noticeable distortions—ranging from changes to the game's title, now reading 'WANUS,' to altered character faces and wardrobe elements. These changes have raised red flags for historians and preservationists concerned with the long-term integrity of video game history.

As comic artist Jamie McKelvie explained, "The photograph was modified beyond simple colorization, giving one subject a completely different face.

The use of AI in this way fundamentally undermines historical accuracy, making future restoration or research efforts substantially more complex." Kieron Gillen, a renowned comic creator and former games journalist, added, "Referring to this as 'colorisation' is highly misleading.

It's an AI-generated reinterpretation, which is especially concerning when applied to historical documentation." Prominent video game archivists echoed these concerns.

The Zelda archivist behind History of Hyrule described the growing challenges for those invested in preserving gaming heritage, stating, "Research and art preservation are going to be a nightmare.

Undoing such AI-induced distortions will be a considerable and ongoing struggle for archivists." The incident has also revived comparisons to past cultural losses, such as the BBC's archival purges in the 1960s, illustrating the potential gravity of compromised historical records in the gaming industry.

Gaming historian Jordan Sorcery commented, "Events like this, coupled with the decline of reliable search engines, might one day be viewed as a cultural tragedy for digital preservation." As AI technology continues to evolve, video game developers, archivists, and hardware manufacturers like Nintendo and Taito grapple with its implications for authenticity and historical record-keeping.

This episode serves as a cautionary tale for the broader video game industry, emphasizing the importance of ethical stewardship and the preservation of original materials—whether for the Nintendo Switch, arcade classics, or future platforms yet to be imagined. Maintaining the integrity of gaming's past is essential for present and future generations of developers, historians, and fans.

The controversy surrounding Taito’s AI-altered Darius photo highlights the urgent need for clear standards and best practices in the age of digital transformation.

Taito arcade AI Arcade Darius Nintendo Jamie McKelvie Kieron Gillen History of Hyrule Jordan Sorcery VGdensetsu