Jervis Johnson, the legendary tabletop designer behind Blood Bowl, has officially backed Games Workshop’s strict prohibition on AI-generated content, arguing that reliance on such tools breeds creative laziness.
A Legacy of Tabletop Innovation
Jervis Johnson is a titan in the gaming industry. Over a career spanning nearly four decades at Games Workshop, he was instrumental in shaping the company’s identity. His extensive portfolio includes the creation of Blood Bowl, co-creating Necromunda, and writing core rules for Advanced Heroquest. Furthermore, he contributed significantly to iconic titles such as the second edition of Warhammer 40,000, the fourth edition of Warhammer Fantasy Battle, and various iterations of both Age of Sigmar and the Warhammer Quest series.
Though now retired from his full-time role at Games Workshop, Johnson remains active in the industry, contributing to projects like the Godzilla TTRPG and DreadBall All Stars—a sci-fi take on the high-intensity sports action he pioneered with Blood Bowl.
Why AI is a Creative “Hindrance”
During a recent discussion with FRVR, Johnson weighed in on Games Workshop’s firm stance against utilizing AI in its design workflows. He expressed skepticism regarding the quality of AI output, noting that while it can produce “middling” results, it consistently fails to meet professional standards.
“I think that if you’re going to do stuff at the top end—do properly interesting, creative stuff—then AI doesn’t help you,” Johnson stated. “It’s a hindrance basically because it allows you to be a bit lazy and not put in the effort.”
The Industry’s Growing AI Backlash
Johnson’s sentiments align with the official position of Games Workshop. In the company’s most recent half-yearly financial report, CEO Kevin Rountree explicitly stated, “We do not allow AI generated content or AI to be used in our design processes.” Rountree also offered a candid, personal critique of the ubiquity of these tools, noting that AI and machine learning engines are often forced upon users via modern hardware, regardless of their preference.
Reflecting on the broader impact of the technology, Johnson remained unimpressed by the current hype cycle. “Most of the stuff that I’ve seen doesn’t seem to actually quite match up to the hype,” he observed. He further compared the current AI trend to a toxic legacy, citing a recent comparison that labeled AI “the asbestos of the internet and the computer industry.” According to Johnson, the industry may soon find itself spending decades attempting to scrub away the impact of tools that, in retrospect, may prove to be “a bit rubbish.”
