A recent controversy has erupted in the gaming world, with players expressing their concerns about the use of AI-generated assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. This isn't just any ordinary gaming debate; it's a passionate outcry that has sparked a fascinating discussion about the role of AI in the industry.
The AI Art Debate: A Growing Concern
Activision, the game's developer, has found itself at the center of this storm, with players taking to social media to voice their discontent. The main focus of their complaints? Calling card images that seemingly mimic the iconic Studio Ghibli art style.
One player, Kume, shared their thoughts on Twitter, highlighting the blatant use of AI-generated art in certain areas of the game. They even provided a tweet with a link to an article discussing the trend of AI-Ghibli images, which adds an interesting layer to the discussion.
But here's where it gets controversial: Activision's response to this outcry has left many players unsatisfied. In a statement released to various outlets, including PC Gamer, the company acknowledged the issue but with a rather vague and non-committal tone. They stated, "Like so many around the world, we use a variety of digital tools, including AI tools, to empower our teams."
And this is the part most people miss: the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Steam page also includes a disclaimer, but it's equally vague, stating, "Our team uses generative AI tools to develop some in-game assets."
This isn't the first time Call of Duty has faced backlash for this. In February, Activision admitted to using generative AI in Black Ops 6, including a controversial zombie Santa loading screen. And just a few months ago, in August, the associate creative director of Black Ops 7, Miles Leslie, clarified their stance, emphasizing that AI tools are used to streamline the process, not replace human creativity.
However, the question remains: why haven't these AI-generated images been removed from the game, especially after the negative response from fans? Leslie stated that it wasn't his department, and the team was "actively looking at that stuff."
The stance of Activision on this issue seems to have evolved over time, but the reasons for this shift remain unclear.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is now available, and while our reviewer gave the campaign a try, they weren't entirely convinced, describing it as "an ambitious wild ride that sometimes falls short."
So, what's your take on this AI art debate? Do you think the use of AI-generated assets is a creative tool or a potential threat to the industry? Let us know in the comments; we'd love to hear your thoughts!
