The One Ring

[Panda]

AI Generated icons need to be somewhat in the style of warcraft 3 to be in a "approvable" state.

 

[DarkePacific]

AI Generated icons need to be somewhat in the style of warcraft 3 to be in a "approvable" state.

Hey Panda,

I get that you're trying to maintain a consistent visual standard, and I respect that. But many of the icons I’ve submitted, including some recently rejected ones, imo still follow core elements of the Warcraft III aesthetic: framing, contrast, lighting, and clarity. This newer version of my ring icon (attached) was tweaked with hue and saturation adjustments to better match that look. Is this closer to what you're expecting?

I’m happy to revise things when there’s clear direction, but it’s difficult to do so when the feedback is vague. Saying an icon isn’t “in style” without specifying why doesn’t help contributors improve.

Also, I want to push back a little on the idea that AI icons in the AI section must perfectly emulate the Warcraft III style. The very existence of that section implies that some stylistic variance is expected—and welcomed. After all, we already have a “main” section for works that aim to perfectly match the aesthetic. We also have a “ported” section, which is often literally just copy-pastes from other games or art, and a huge number of those don’t fit the Warcraft III style either. I don't think anyone will ever moderate all 240+ pages of that, and understandably so; it’s a space for experimentation and variety.

On top of that, the AI and ported sections consistently get fewer views and downloads than the main section. That alone shows people turn to them when they want something more experimental. Otherwise, the message becomes: “Make icons nearly identical to the main section, but expect a fraction of the visibility.” Why would anyone choose that?

Usability does matter, of course, but not every map uses the classic WC3 look. Some deliberately push visual boundaries, and sections like AI and ported should support that flexibility.

For the Lord of the Rings icons, I wasn't trying to replicate the WC3 style perfectly. I was aiming for a blend, capturing Warcraft's icon structure while still keeping the recognizable look of the film characters. Most LOTR games and adaptations are based on the films, so I imagine map creators would prefer that look over just another Kael’thas-style repaint or a flat movie/model screenshot.

Also, just to be clear: generating usable AI icons like these is not as simple as typing “draw X.” It takes prompt engineering, refining, and post-processing. I spend around 30 minutes to an hour on each icon set, tweaking glow, color balance, cropping, and style to make them game-ready. It's less time-consuming than traditional painting, yes, but it's not just a one-click process. There's still skill involved, and I put a lot of care into how these come out.

Marking them as Restricted instead of Useful/Simple feels way too harsh, especially when you compare them with what’s been accepted before. I’m not asking for a free pass, but I just want clear, fair criteria that respects both artistic effort and the value AI-generated content can bring to the modding scene.

Also, just to note: there are clearly AI-generated icons sitting in the Reforged section right now. If strong stylistic conformity is the bar for AI submissions, that bar isn’t even being applied evenly.

 

[Panda]

Hey Panda,

I get that you're trying to maintain a consistent visual standard, and I respect that. But many of the icons I’ve submitted, including some recently rejected ones, imo still follow core elements of the Warcraft III aesthetic: framing, contrast, lighting, and clarity. This newer version of my ring icon (attached) was tweaked with hue and saturation adjustments to better match that look. Is this closer to what you're expecting?

I’m happy to revise things when there’s clear direction, but it’s difficult to do so when the feedback is vague. Saying an icon isn’t “in style” without specifying why doesn’t help contributors improve.

Also, I want to push back a little on the idea that AI icons in the AI section must perfectly emulate the Warcraft III style. The very existence of that section implies that some stylistic variance is expected—and welcomed. After all, we already have a “main” section for works that aim to perfectly match the aesthetic. We also have a “ported” section, which is often literally just copy-pastes from other games or art, and a huge number of those don’t fit the Warcraft III style either. I don't think anyone will ever moderate all 240+ pages of that, and understandably so; it’s a space for experimentation and variety.

On top of that, the AI and ported sections consistently get fewer views and downloads than the main section. That alone shows people turn to them when they want something more experimental. Otherwise, the message becomes: “Make icons nearly identical to the main section, but expect a fraction of the visibility.” Why would anyone choose that?

Usability does matter, of course, but not every map uses the classic WC3 look. Some deliberately push visual boundaries, and sections like AI and ported should support that flexibility.

For the Lord of the Rings icons, I wasn't trying to replicate the WC3 style perfectly. I was aiming for a blend, capturing Warcraft's icon structure while still keeping the recognizable look of the film characters. Most LOTR games and adaptations are based on the films, so I imagine map creators would prefer that look over just another Kael’thas-style repaint or a flat movie/model screenshot.

Also, just to be clear: generating usable AI icons like these is not as simple as typing “draw X.” It takes prompt engineering, refining, and post-processing. I spend around 30 minutes to an hour on each icon set, tweaking glow, color balance, cropping, and style to make them game-ready. It's less time-consuming than traditional painting, yes, but it's not just a one-click process. There's still skill involved, and I put a lot of care into how these come out.

Marking them as Restricted instead of Useful/Simple feels way too harsh, especially when you compare them with what’s been accepted before. I’m not asking for a free pass, but I just want clear, fair criteria that respects both artistic effort and the value AI-generated content can bring to the modding scene.

Also, just to note: there are clearly AI-generated icons sitting in the Reforged section right now. If strong stylistic conformity is the bar for AI submissions, that bar isn’t even being applied evenly.

I dont see any improvement but upping the contrast alot here and the brightness.

A AI icon can be made in less then 10 seconds how is that putting in effort? Im getting tired of everyone who creates these AI icons saying they put all this effort in things that take less than a minute too do. The things you state wont change the rules nor do i intend on changing them.. If you want all these AI icons set at a useful state then i can move them to ported or they will probably stay as is.. Im not really sure why we even have a AI section in the first place since it just gets over run with random things that doesn't have to do with warcraft which is this sites main game.

If you want to chat take it up with Ralle because im trying to review 3 sections that have different types of rules and it gets really frustrating overall when things like this happen, i mean at this rate mind as well not have no rules and have people uploaded spondgebob as an icon and ill approve it...

And, i am currently working on moderating all the ported section but it takes time.

And, the reason for having it to be warcraft style is ..for one the site is for that game like stated above and i get people may want this ring in there game so thats why we created the ported.. at which your already familiar of since i seen alot of yours on there already.. so thats why we made the rule of this section having to be somewhat of a style of warcraft instead of it being another ported section with random icons from movies and games..

 

[Panda]

AI Used / Useful in some cases - Approved.