Activision confirms Call of Duty features AI-generated content via Steam

by Danny Craig  · 
Activision confirms Call of Duty features AI-generated content via Steam
Activision

Activision has been forced to confirm rumors that it used generative AI to create content for Call of Duty due to Steam's policies regulating games that use AI.

The details:

  • Following the launch of Black Ops 6 late last year, fans accused Activision of using generative AI to create some of the game's new content without public disclosure. Most notably, it was discovered that a loading screen added with the release of the game's Season 1 Reloaded update featured a zombie with six fingers on one hand while holding a gift in the other, which featured some strangely "drawn" ribbons. Some calling cards also appeared to include some telltale signs of AI use.

  • As spotted by Dexerto’s CharlieIntel, the Steam store page for Call of Duty has since been updated to confirm that the game includes AI-generated content, although it does not confirm to what extent. “Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets,” the note reads.

  • According to SteamDB, the message was quietly added on January 27, a month after the alleged content was released in the game.

  • Valve's AI policy, which has been in effect since January 2024, requires developers to disclose any use of generative AI in their games to combat "illegal" content that may infringe on copyright. However, after the alleged AI-generated content was discovered in COD, users accused Valve of allowing Activision to circumvent the rule due to the publisher's size and the revenue generated by the game.

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