SonicFox cancels Nexcon appearance over AI-generated promotional art

Professional fighting game player SonicFox has terminated their contract with Nexcon, a gaming convention scheduled for November 14–15 in Norman, Oklahoma. The decision follows the discovery of a promotional poster created using generative AI that featured the likeness of SonicFox’s mascot character and other special guests.

SonicFox described the use of AI to generate their likeness as ‘incredibly disrespectful’ and stated that their interest in attending the event had dropped to zero. The controversy has drawn criticism from the fighting game community, particularly regarding the use of artwork created by community members to train AI models without consent.