Crimson Desert: Pearl Abyss Acknowledges Use of Generative AI

Pearl Abyss and the Use of Generative AI in Crimson Desert

The development studio Pearl Abyss has recently acknowledged using generative AI tools to design 2D visuals in the early stages of developing Crimson Desert. This revelation came after community members identified "AI artifacts" in the game, prompting the studio to update its Steam page and promise to replace these problematic elements.

This situation is reminiscent of the controversy surrounding Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, highlighting a growing demand for transparency regarding the use of AI in the video game industry.

The Community Discovers Visual Anomalies

Users on platforms like Reddit and X shared screenshots showing anomalies in the game's illustrations, such as unrealistic anatomies, extra limbs, and blurry faces. These inconsistencies raised questions about the integrity of the game's visuals.

The main issue was that the Steam page for Crimson Desert did not mention the use of generative AI at its launch, a point highlighted by IGN.

Pearl Abyss's Response to the Controversy

In response to the controversy, Pearl Abyss released a statement on X, admitting that some 2D visual elements had been created using experimental generative AI tools. The studio clarified that its intention was to replace these elements with creations that meet its quality standards before the official release of the game.

However, the studio also acknowledged that some of these elements had inadvertently made their way into the final version, violating their internal standards.

Commitment to Better Transparency

Players expressed their dissatisfaction with Pearl Abyss's lack of transparency, particularly regarding Steam's rules. The studio had previously claimed that character voices were recorded by real actors, not generated by AI.

Pearl Abyss apologized for this lack of clarity and announced that a full audit was underway. The affected elements are expected to be replaced in upcoming updates. The studio also committed to reviewing and strengthening its internal processes to ensure better transparency in the future.

The Steam page has been updated to indicate that "generative AI technology is used complementarily in the creation of certain 2D environmental elements," specifying that these elements are then replaced by the artistic teams.

This controversy echoes the issues faced by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, where AI-generated elements were also integrated into the final version of the game, leading to similar criticisms regarding a lack of transparency.