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, the developer behind Call of Duty, has officially acknowledged the use of generative AI in the creation of Black Ops 6, months after fans criticized the company for what they termed "AI slop" in the Zombie Santa loading screen. The controversy erupted in December following the Season 1 Reloaded update, where players identified several signs of AI use in loading screens, calling cards, and Zombies community event art.

The focal point of the backlash was the 'Necroclaus' loading screen, featuring an undead Santa Claus, which some fans pointed out had an extra finger—a common mistake in AI-generated images. This sparked a broader examination of other images within Black Ops 6, with some community members questioning the authenticity of artwork in paid bundles.

Another image, depicting a gloved hand for a Zombies community event, also showed anomalies, suggesting additional fingers without a thumb. These observations led to a Reddit user, Shaun_LaDee, highlighting further irregularities in paid bundle images, fueling the debate over the use of generative AI in paid content.

Amidst growing demands for transparency, Activision has now complied with new AI disclosure rules on Steam, adding a broad statement about the use of generative AI in Black Ops 6. The Steam page for Black Ops 6 now includes an AI Generated Content Disclosure stating: "Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets."

This disclosure comes after reports from Wired that Activision sold an "AI-generated cosmetic" for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 last year, part of the Yokai’s Wrath bundle, without any mention of AI use. This bundle, priced at 1,500 COD Points (roughly $15), is part of Activision's lucrative virtual currency system.

The use of AI at Activision has been controversial, especially following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and subsequent layoffs, including 1,900 staff from its gaming business. Reports suggest that 2D artists were particularly affected, with remaining concept artists being pressured to incorporate AI into their work and even required to undergo AI training.

The broader video game and entertainment industries are grappling with similar issues, as generative AI becomes a hot topic amidst widespread layoffs. Criticism has mounted due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and the inability of AI to consistently produce content that resonates with audiences. An example of this is Keywords Studios' attempt to develop an entirely AI-generated game, which failed, underscoring that AI cannot yet replace human talent effectively.