For the second year in a row, Street Fighter 6 ran a community artwork contest to get their works featured in the game, but not everything went off without a hitch.
Capcom announced tonight that one of the initial winning entries has now been disqualified for breaking the rules.
“We want to extend a big thanks to everyone who participated in the latest Street Fighter Art Contest New Challenger Edition,” reads Capcom’s statement.”
“Unfortunately, we have determined that one of the winning entries violated contest rules, specifically Section 5 pertaining to: Entry Submission and Design Requirements.”
“After careful review and discussion, we have decided to disqualify the entry in question.”
“Please note that the entry in question will remain available for voting in the Battle Hub until the end of the voting period. We want to thank those who participated in voting for the entry in question. While the entry in question has been disqualified, we will provide a replacement illustration for the featured character at a later date.”
We want to extend a big thanks to everyone who participated in the latest Street Fighter Art Contest New Challenger Edition.
Unfortunately, we have determined that one of the winning entries violated contest rules, specifically Section 5 pertaining to: Entry Submission and…
— Street Fighter (@StreetFighter) July 25, 2025
It’s not stated exactly which rule was broken, but this comes following a community-led investigation from Hoodratt into the potential use of generative AI in the submissions.
The rule in question reads as follows:
“The Design must be the Entrant’s original creative work which has not been previously published or entered into other competitions. Any drawing technique is allowed in creating the Design, however, the use of generative AI is prohibited. You may submit multiple Entries. If there is any omission or false statement at any stage of the Entry, your Entry will become void. Capcom reserves the right to reject Entries that, in the sole discretion of Capcom, do not meet the Entry submission requirements. This Contest is free to enter and no purchase of any kind is necessary.”
So it seems likely that generative AI use may indeed be the issue here.
There’s also no mention as to which character selection specifically was disqualified, but the prior investigation pointed to three potential subjects.
While the winning entries for Akuma, Cammy and Kimberly were all found to be suspect, it may be Kimberly that Capcom set their sights on given the evidence and the “artist” in question apparently deleting their social media accounts.
We’ll find out eventually when Capcom reveals the replacement winner at some point in the near future.
These winning art pieces will be given away to all Street Fighter 6 players for free to use as new challenger screen options following the Battle Hub Street Voter event.
We’re seeing the use of artificial intelligence creep into more aspects of our life all the time now, so it’s nice to see people who care take a stand to keep it out of places where AI is specifically not supposed to be.