{"id":890586,"date":"2026-10-22T09:10:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T09:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/890586\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T09:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T09:10:14","slug":"sonicfox-reminds-everyone-theyre-based-backing-out-of-a-gaming-convention-over-an-ai-generated-promo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/890586\/","title":{"rendered":"SonicFox Reminds Everyone They’re Based, Backing Out Of A Gaming Convention Over An AI-Generated Promo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dominique \u201cSonicFox\u201d McLean has backed out of Nexcon 2026 after seeing promotional material for the event that used AI to generate the fighting game pro\u2019s likeness. The flyer seemed entirely AI-generated, including slopified renderings of other creators who would be in attendance. Once SonicFox got wind of the promo, they immediately cancelled their appearance. \u201cUpdate: Contract terminated and no longer attending! :3,\u201d they posted on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Not sure who\u2019s in charge of Nexcon but I absolutely refuse to have my likeness be AI generated and my interest in attending as a special guest has dropped to 0.<\/p>\n

Incredibly disrespectful. https:\/\/t.co\/cEaTUgUlrx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SonicFox (@SonicFox) October 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Nexcon 2026 is a gaming, anime, and creator-focused convention put on by Ninjutsu Entertainment and held in Norman, Oklahoma. In response to SonicFox\u2019s cancellation, Ty Bailey, one of the founders of Ninjutsu Entertainment, took to X and posted a video admitting to using AI but begging SonicFox to reconsider.<\/p>\n

@SonicFox<\/a> brother we did not mean to disrespect you hope this clears it up you love you dawg pic.twitter.com\/nggEwYZJTO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ninjutsu Entertainment (@NinjutsuEtm) October 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In the video, Bailey said he takes full responsibility for using genAI to create the flyer saying that he and his business partner don\u2019t even like the technology but had no choice to use it because their work on Nexcon has left them with no money to spend on real artists. While Bailey did offer an apology it came with numerous excuses including that it\u2019s just him and his business partner working on the convention on top of their 40+ hours a week day jobs, that they\u2019re inexperienced with running a convention, and that artists didn\u2019t want to work with them after they\u2019d already started using genAI in the first place. Bailey ends the video with an emotional plea.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not gonna stop the con, but we definitely need you SonicFox,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I really hope you can come out here still.\u201d<\/p>\n

SonicFox responded with the verbal equivalent of Heihachi Mishima tossing his son off a cliff.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a forgiving person and I can hear the remorse in your voice so I forgive you,\u201d they wrote<\/a>. \u201cHowever, there are still consequences to said actions that will prompt me not to attend. Use the money you offered me in contract to hire artists, and maybe next year I\u2019ll reconsider. Sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n