Activision Confirms Generative AI Use in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Activision, the creator of the Call of Duty franchise, has finally acknowledged the use of generative AI in the development of Black Ops 6. This admission comes nearly three months after fans voiced concerns about the quality of certain in-game assets, specifically citing a "sloppy" Zombie Santa loading screen.
Following the Season 1 Reloaded update, players noticed irregularities in several Black Ops 6 loading screens, calling cards, and artwork related to Zombies community events. A key point of contention was the Zombie Santa ("Necroclaus") loading screen, which appeared to depict the character with six fingers – a common flaw in AI-generated images.
Following pressure from fans and in light of new AI disclosure regulations on Steam, Activision added a statement to Black Ops 6's Steam page: "Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets."
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, part of the Yokai's Wrath bundle, without disclosing the AI's involvement. This bundle cost 1,500 COD Points (approximately $15), contributing to Activision's substantial revenue from in-game purchases.
The use of AI in game development has sparked debate, particularly concerning ethical implications, copyright issues, and the overall quality of AI-generated content. Keywords Studios' failed experiment in creating an entirely AI-driven game highlights the limitations of current AI technology in replacing human creativity and talent. The situation at Activision, with reported layoffs of 2D artists and the subsequent implementation of AI tools, further fuels this conversation.
