@HYPEX I don’t agree with how AI is processed today but this is actually how AI image generation is supposed to be used.
AI should always be used as a TOOL for concepts and not necessarily replace the entire asset
Doesn’t matter if you’re “employed” or not. Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it should be handed out to you nilly willy. These rounds last roughly 30 seconds. The achievement comes from getting better at something you weren’t good at before. The cosmetic holds no weight if the person earning it shows no persistence. Yes sometimes they hand out entire skins for free, but this is a different kind of cosmetic. It’s a sign of dedication and a desire to improve, similar to ranked rewards. The player base has been groomed into believing everything should be handed out to them, easy, free. If you were to live out life like this, you will fail, and therefore you deserve to fail at getting a reward like this.
The cosmetic is designed to feel like it meant something. “I earned this” you say to yourself. If they handed it out instantly, it would be forgotten, hold no weight to the player earning it, and it would be another scrapped cosmetic to feed into the addictive collectors who demand everything be in their locker with no strings attached.
Earn something for once. I promise it ain’t that hard.