You must own or have explicit permission to use any artwork you upload to a Game Template on StartPlaying. Using art you don't have rights to will result in your template being rejected.
This page covers what is and isn't allowed, and where to find free art you can use.
What art is allowed on game listings?
The following are all permitted:
Your own original artwork: anything you created yourself
Art you commissioned: artwork made for you by an artist, as long as the commission agreement grants you usage rights
Royalty-free or public domain art as long as you comply with the specific licensing terms
AI-generated art: images you created using an AI image generator are permitted, as AI-generated art cannot currently be copyrighted
Art from the StartPlaying Google Drive: StartPlaying has acquired usage rights to over 700 images for GMs to use freely on their listings. Access the folder here.
Art from Paizo for Pathfinder/Starfinder Games: Paizo has given StartPlaying GMs free rein to use their artwork for Pathfinder or Starfinder game listings.
What art is NOT allowed on game listings?
The following are not permitted:
Official D&D or other publisher artwork including module covers, sourcebook illustrations, and any publisher-owned images that are not in the Google Drive
Critical Role, Exandria, or other licensed IP artwork not in Google Drive: you may reference these terms in your listing text, but you cannot use their official artwork, logos, or media without explicit permission from the copyright holder
Art found on Google Images or other search engines unless you have verified the image is in the public domain or licensed for reuse
Logos of any kind unless you have explicit written permission from the logo's copyright holder
Art from other artists unless you have a commission agreement or explicit written permission granting you usage rights
What happens if I use art I don't have rights to?
Your Game Template will be rejected during the review process and moved to Draft. You'll receive an email explaining what needs to be fixed before you can resubmit.
Repeated or deliberate violations may result in further account action as outlined in the Terms of Service.
Can I use the terms "Exandria" or "Critical Role" in my listing?
Yes, you can reference licensed terms like "Exandria" or "Critical Role" in your listing title or description.
What you cannot do is use their official artwork, logos, or branded media in your game image without explicit permission from the copyright holder.
Can I use AI-generated art?
Yes. AI-generated images you create yourself using tools like Midjourney, DALL-E, or similar generators are permitted on StartPlaying listings. AI-generated art cannot currently be copyrighted, which means it is safe to use.
📌 Note: StartPlaying as a company does not use AI art in any of its assets or images on the website, and has no plans to do so.
Does this apply to art I use within my game sessions?
No. These rules apply only to artwork uploaded to your Game Template listing. Art used within your actual game sessions (e.g. maps, tokens, handouts on a VTT) is not covered by this policy.
Where can I find free art to use?
StartPlaying maintains a Google Drive folder with over 700 pieces of art that have been cleared for use on game listings. This is the easiest and safest source of free art for your templates.
The folder is split into two sections: art you can use freely for any game, and publisher-provided art with specific usage terms.
Art From Publishers/Game Systems
This folder has artwork provided by different TTRPG publishers for use on StartPlaying.
Each publisher folder includes a README file that explains which games the art can be used for. Make sure to check this before using any art from that folder.
Art For Game Templates
This folder has artwork from Shutterstock, divided up by genre. You can use any of the images in this folder for any game on StartPlaying.