Activision Confirms Generative AI Use in Black Ops 6 Asset Development
After months of speculation, last week Activision has finally confirmed that generative AI has played a role in the development of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and other titles. The announcement comes in response to an outpouring of concerns from within Call of Duty community, which first arose in December when players noticed irregularities in in-game artwork, leading to accusations of AI-generated assets. Call of Duty hasn’t been the first one called out on this front but many companies within video games and movies.
The Controversy Over AI Art
The conversation around AI in Black Ops 6 began with a peculiar image—a loading screen featuring a zombified Santa Claus, dubbed “Necroclaus.” Fans immediately quickly pointed out what appeared to be an extra finger on the character’s hand, a common telltale sign of AI-generated images. One of the system weaknesses when generating images with the correct number of fingers. Upon further scrutiny revealed additional anomalies in other loading screens and event artwork as well.
Redditor Shaun_LaDee fueled the debate by highlighting three images included in paid cosmetic bundles that exhibited irregularities often associated with generative AI. The backlash prompted demands for transparency, with many calling on Activision to disclose the extent to which AI was being used in the development process.
Activision’s AI Disclosure
In response to the mounting pressure and new Steam policies requiring developers to disclose AI-generated content, Activision quietly updated Black Ops 6’s Steam page with the following statement:
“Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets.”
This vague disclosure provides no specifics on which assets were AI-generated or how extensively AI was integrated into the game’s development. The uses of AI by Activision could be deeply interwinded the development cycle. Video game companies for years have trying to integrate AI tools and functional behind the scenes and within the game worlds. So, this statement leaves room for interpretation, frustrating players who expected clearer communication from one of the industry’s biggest publishers. Which they may not get from Activision on this matter.
AI’s Growing Role in Gaming
This isn’t the first time Activision has faced AI-related backlash. A report from Wired in July of last year, previously revealed that an “AI-generated cosmetic” was sold in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 last year. The bundle in question, Yokai’s Wrath, was released in December 2023 for 1,500 COD Points (approximately $15), yet no disclosure was made regarding AI involvement in its creation.
The controversy over AI in Call of Duty extends beyond aesthetics. Wired also reported that following Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, 1,900 employees were laid off, including a large chuck of concept artists. One anonymous Activision artist claimed that remaining concept artists were “forced to use AI to aid in their work” and were required to undergo AI training. These reports and leaks from people within the industry paint a complex picture of an industry grappling with the balance between automation and human creativity. With this merger the concern of artists and developer alike is job security as AI tools expand in use.
The Bigger Picture: AI in Entertainment
The gaming and entertainment industries have seen widespread layoffs in recent years, with companies increasingly experimenting with generative AI to cut costs and to “streamline” productions. However, AI’s effectiveness in creative fields remains an intense subject of debate. For instance, Keywords Studios, a major outsourcing firm in gaming, attempted to develop an AI-generated game but ultimately scrapped the project after concluding that AI was “unable to replace talent.” Letting gamers and the industry know AI tools on a mass scale is not ready for prime time.
Players, artists, and industry veterans continue to raise ethical concerns about AI’s role in game development. Many argue that while AI can be a useful tool, overreliance on it risks diminishing artistic integrity and job opportunities for human creators.
Final Thoughts
The confirmation of AI-generated assets in Black Ops 6 adds yet another layer to the complex and ongoing conversation about the future of AI in video game development. Activision’s purposely vague disclosure does little to reassure fans who value handcrafted artistry, and it raises questions about how AI will shape the industry moving forward for the positive and negative.
As AI becomes more integrated into gaming, transparency and ethical considerations will be paramount in maintaining trust between developers and players. For now, the debate rages on—leaving fans to wonder just how much of their favorite games will be crafted by artists and human creativity and how much will be left in the hands of machines.
