Activision, the creator of Call of Duty, finally admitted to using generative AI in the development of Black Ops 6. This admission comes nearly three months after fans accused the company of using AI to create subpar assets, particularly a controversial "Zombie Santa" loading screen.
In December 2023, following a game update, players noticed several anomalies in Black Ops 6 loading screens, calling cards, and in-game art. The most prominent example was the Zombie Santa, or "Necroclaus," loading screen image, which appeared to depict Santa Claus with six fingers – a common flaw in AI-generated imagery.
Following increased pressure and new AI disclosure regulations on Steam, Activision issued a vague statement on the Steam platform acknowledging the use of generative AI tools in the creation of "some in-game assets" for Black Ops 6.
This revelation follows a previous report by Wired, which revealed that Activision sold an AI-generated cosmetic item in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in December 2023, without disclosing its AI origins. This cosmetic was part of the Yokai's Wrath bundle, priced at 1,500 COD Points (approximately $15).
The timing of this disclosure coincides with significant layoffs at Activision Blizzard, raising concerns about the potential displacement of 2D artists by AI. Anonymous Activision employees reported widespread AI training and its mandated use within the company.
The use of generative AI in the gaming industry remains a contentious issue, raising ethical and rights concerns, and questioning the quality and artistic merit of AI-generated content. Previous attempts to create fully AI-driven games have failed, highlighting the limitations of current AI technology and the irreplaceable value of human talent.
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