Activision’s admission of using generative AI to create assets for Call of Duty has sparked a heated debate among gamers. The revelation, buried in a Steam page disclosure, reads: “Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets.” This bombshell has left many players questioning the company’s priorities and values.
For months, players have been pointing out suspiciously low-quality assets, including calling cards and loading screens, that appear to have been generated by AI. One notable example is the “Hard Breakup” calling card, which players can unlock by completing a challenge. However, upon closer inspection, the card’s artwork appears to be riddled with errors and inconsistencies.
Reddit user Poodonkus, who grinded for hours to unlock the card, expressed their disappointment and frustration. “Disappointingly, I just grinded for an AI-generated calling card… I had heard of a cool pin-up style calling card for completing this challenge, but I wasn’t expecting to find out after trying to figure out what was supposed to be on her belt (surprise, just shapeless artifacts of a neural network image generator), that there are glaring hallmarks of an unrefined AI-generated image,” they wrote.
Poodonkus’s remarks highlight the sense of betrayal many players feel when they discover that the assets they’ve worked hard to unlock are AI-generated. “What’s going on with this lady’s hair, and why does her right sleeve have a buckle that fades into nothingness?” they asked, pointing out the numerous errors and inconsistencies in the artwork. “Remake this calling card, hell trace it if you have to. But give us players more respect than this,” Poodonkus concluded.
The use of AI-generated art in Call of Duty raises important questions about the role of artificial intelligence in game development. While some argue that AI can be a powerful tool for creating assets and streamlining development, others see it as a lazy shortcut that compromises the quality and craftsmanship of the game.
Activision’s decision to use AI-generated art in Call of Duty has sparked a wider debate about the value of human creativity and craftsmanship in game development. As games become increasingly complex and demanding, developers are looking for ways to streamline development and reduce costs. However, this pursuit of efficiency and profit must not come at the expense of quality and craftsmanship.
Players deserve better than AI-generated art, and it’s up to developers to deliver. As Poodonkus’s remarks demonstrate, players are willing to put in the time and effort to unlock high-quality assets, and they expect the same level of quality and craftsmanship from the developers.
