Activision Finally Admits It Uses Generative AI for Some Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Assets After Backlash Following 'AI Slop' Zombie Santa Loading Screen

Activision Confirms Generative AI Use in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Following months of fan speculation and accusations of using AI-generated assets, Activision has finally acknowledged the use of generative AI in the development of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. This admission comes nearly three months after players noticed irregularities in various in-game assets, including loading screens, calling cards, and artwork related to Zombies events.

The controversy initially centered around a loading screen featuring "Necroclaus," a Zombie Santa depicted with what appeared to be six fingers – a common flaw in AI-generated images.

Further scrutiny revealed similar anomalies in other images, including a gloved hand seemingly possessing six fingers and a missing thumb.

These findings prompted a wider discussion within the Call of Duty community, leading to calls for transparency regarding the use of AI in paid content. In response, Activision added a disclosure to the Black Ops 6 Steam page stating, "Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets."

This disclosure follows a previous report by Wired detailing Activision's sale of an AI-generated cosmetic in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in December 2023, a sale that did not initially disclose the use of AI. This cosmetic, part of the Yokai's Wrath bundle, cost 1,500 COD Points (approximately $15).

The use of generative AI within Activision, coupled with significant layoffs within the company's gaming division, has raised concerns about the potential displacement of human artists. Anonymous Activision artists have claimed that layoffs and the subsequent increased reliance on AI have negatively impacted the creative process.

The gaming industry's embrace of generative AI remains a contentious issue, sparking debate about ethical concerns, copyright implications, and the overall quality of AI-generated content. Previous attempts to create games solely using AI have proven unsuccessful, highlighting the limitations of current technology and the irreplaceable value of human creativity.