Feb 26, 2025 10:38:00

Call of Duty developer Activision confirms use of AI-generated content in its games

Activision , developer of the popular FPS 'Call of Duty,' has acknowledged that it has used AI-generated content in its games and has made this clear on its Steam sales pages.

Activision finally admits to using AI & CoD players aren't surprised at all - Dexerto
https://www.dexerto.com/call-of-duty/activision-finally-admits-to-using-ai-cod-players-arent-surprised-at-all-3144394/

Call of Duty admits it's using generative AI to 'help develop some in-game assets', and suddenly all those poorly made calling cards make sense | PC Gamer
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-admits-its-using-generative-ai-to-help-develop-some-in-game-assets-and-suddenly-all-those-poorly-made-calling-cards-make-sense/

It all started with the rewards for the update ' Season 01 Reloaded ' added to 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 6' on December 6, 2024. One of the rewards included a loading screen with an image of a six-fingered Santa.

In response to this, some users have

commented that 'it's Black Ops 6 so it's probably six fingers,' while others have said, 'this is clearly an AI-generated image,' or 'I don't understand why they used this image as is.'

This image prompted users to start searching for content that appeared to be AI-generated.

Below is the loading screen that is suspected to be generated by AI.

According to Reddit user Shaun_LaDee, the loading screen below, 'Back Alley,' has a blurry wall at the back of the screen that looks like it was generated by AI.

Shaun_LaDee also pointed out another loading screen, 'Fearwood,' that 'the branches are not connected properly, and the person in the center of the image is looking both forward and backward at the same time.'

The next loading screen, 'Cozy,' features 'an uneven carpet pattern, unidentifiable Christmas ornaments, and a large, unnatural doorway with no door or window. The more you look at it, the more disgusting it gets,' Shaun_LaDee criticized.

Then, in February 2025, Activision stated on the Steam sales page for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 that 'We use generative AI tools to develop some game assets.' Activision has not disclosed which content it used AI for specifically.

Steam revised its policy in January 2024 to allow the release of 'most games that use AI technology.' At that time, developers were required to explain and clearly state how AI is used in game development and gameplay. It is speculated that Activision's inclusion on the Steam sales page is in compliance with this policy.

Steam to allow 'most games that use AI technology,' but not live-generated sexual content - GIGAZINE