Crimson Desert Developer Addresses Use Of AI Assets In Game
These were reportedly placeholder assets from early development and are set to be updated.
Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert made a strong debut last week, with excitement building even ahead of launch. However, the rollout wasn't without issues, as players quickly spotted AI-generated art in the game, such as this painting shared on Reddit, sparking backlash online.
Pearl Abyss has responded, confirming the use of AI-generated props and stating they were created during early development to "rapidly explore tone and atmosphere" in the game's initial stages. The developer emphasized that such assets were never meant to be official, but were "unintentionally included in the final release".
"We also acknowledge that we should have clearly disclosed our use of AI. While these tools were primarily used during early production, with the expectation that these assets would be replaced prior to release, we recognize that this does not excuse the lack of transparency. We sincerely apologize for these oversights.
We are currently conducting a comprehensive audit of all in-game assets and are taking steps to replace any affected content. Updated assets will be rolled out in upcoming patches."
This isn't the first time a game developer has been caught using generative AI assets: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lost its Indie Game Awards wins due to the inclusion of AI-generated assets at launch. The Larian Studios situation is another example, with them confirming the use of AI in the development process.
Even with strong sales, this controversy could shape the game's reputation, and moreover, Pearl Abyss might be in breach of Steam's rule to disclose generative AI content. Don't forget to subscribe to our Newsletter, join our 80 Level Talent platform, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Instagram, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.
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