Developer Pearl Abyss has pledged to remove AI-generated assets from the game Crimson Desert after players discovered the content and criticized the studio for failing to disclose its use.

Key points

• Players identified AI-generated artwork within the high-fidelity graphics of the recently launched title Crimson Desert.
• Developer Pearl Abyss issued a formal apology on X, acknowledging the failure to disclose the use of AI tools.
• The studio is currently conducting a comprehensive audit of all in-game assets to identify and replace remaining AI-generated content.
• Future patches will replace the affected assets with human-created content to address player concerns.
• Pearl Abyss committed to strengthening internal processes to ensure greater transparency regarding development practices in future updates.

The incident highlights growing consumer backlash against the undisclosed use of generative AI in AAA video games. It underscores the increasing pressure on developers to maintain transparency and rigorous quality control to avoid damaging their reputation with a skeptical gaming audience.