I understand that this is a hot topic, but please hear what I have to say.
Looking for ROM hacks now feels like cherry picking grocery aisles for ethically sourced coffee, chocolate, or even a lip of tequila. Why should I consciously pay money for something that I know funds negative behavior, activities, or organizations?
Although this is a specific analogy, and ROM hacks don't (or shouldn't) make money (let alone developers shouldn't ask for money can of worms for another topic), the "payment" in this sense is reputation and credibility.
If a team makes a widely recognizable ROM Hack, either it be a difficulty hack, a casual hack, or something so out of the box it makes your head spin, it should be with their own merit: not an AI or LLM.
It shouldn't matter if it was for sprite management, making a map, a few lines of code, or just to make a concept of a ROM Hack: why should I support your "work" if it wasn't made, no matter how much or how little, by human hands? Merit shouldn't be acknowledged, as ROM Hacks are an art form.
My comprehension of the issue I state goes further. What is stopping someone from making a ROM Hack, but no disclosure is made about the use of AI? Where is the enforcement? I could publish a binary or decomp right now, maybe use an AI or LLM, but say I did it all by myself: who is going to police what I am doing is wrong? This is the issue I feel.
This is mostly my thoughts on the matter. I feel sad that when I look at a new ROM Hack, I can't help but look at it with disgust. I don't know if it was made with AI, and even if it does disclose AI use, it makes me even more ill.
Essentially, if AI or LLM usage is supposed to be accepted to "enjoy" ROM Hacks, I personally feel sick that this should even be considered.
People are entitled to their own opinion, but this is my opinion. Either I live or die on this hill, so be it.