Dominique “SonicFox” McLean withdrew from Nexcon 2026 after seeing promotional materials for the event that used AI to generate the image of the fighting game professional. The flyer appeared entirely AI-generated, including sloppy renderings from other creators who would be present. Once SonicFox caught wind of the promo, they immediately canceled their appearance. “Update: contract terminated and no longer participating! :3,” they posted on X.
I don’t know who is in charge of Nexcon, but I categorically refuse to have my image generated by AI and my interest in participating as a special guest has dropped to 0.
Incredibly disrespectful. https://t.co/cEaTUgUlrx
— SonicFox (@SonicFox) October 20, 2026
Nexcon 2026 is a gaming, anime, and creator-focused convention hosted by Ninjutsu Entertainment and held in Norman, Oklahoma. In response to SonicFox’s 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.
@SonicFox bro, we meant no disrespect, hope this clears things up, love you man pic.twitter.com/nggEwYZJTO
– Ninjutsu Entertainment (@NinjutsuEtm) October 21, 2026
In the video, Bailey said he took full responsibility for using genAI to create the flyer, saying he and his business partner didn’t even like the technology but had no choice in using it because their work on Nexcon left them no money to spend on real artists. Although Bailey issued an apology, it was accompanied by numerous excuses, including that it was just him and his business partner working the convention on top of their 40 hour work days, that they had no experience running a convention, and that the artists didn’t want to work with them after they had already started using genAI in the first place. Bailey ends the video with an emotional plea.
“We’re not going to stop the scam, but we absolutely need you, SonicFox,” he said. “And I really hope you can still come here.”
SonicFox responded with the verbal equivalent of Heihachi Mishima throwing his son off a cliff.
“I am a forgiving person and I hear the remorse in your voice so I forgive you,” they wrote. “However, these actions still have consequences that will make me not attend. Use the money you offered me in the contract to hire artists, and maybe next year I will reconsider. Sorry.”
Gn tech
