Call of Duty: Activision Confirms Use of Generative AI

The intersection of AI and gaming is becoming more prominent, and Call of Duty is now at the center of the debate. Activision has officially confirmed the use of generative AI in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone, sparking discussions about the ethics of AI-generated content in AAA games.

This revelation comes after months of player complaints, with many pointing out unnatural design flaws in in-game cosmetics and loading screens. While AI is often seen as a tool for innovation, its use in Call of Duty raises questions about quality control, artistic integrity, and the future of game development.

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The Role of AI in Call of Duty’s Latest Titles

After months of speculation and backlash, Activision has officially confirmed that generative AI tools were used to develop in-game assets for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone. The announcement came through Steam’s AI disclosure policy, which requires developers to indicate whether AI-generated content is present in their games.

The controversy surrounding AI in Call of Duty started in late 2024 when players noticed distorted artwork and abnormal design elements in the game’s cosmetics and loading screens. Some images contained gloved hands with extra fingers—a telltale sign of AI-generated content.

Despite widespread community concerns, Activision remained silent on the matter for months. However, the recent disclosure on Steam now explicitly states:

“Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets.”

While this confirmation doesn’t specify which assets were AI-generated, it validates months of speculation and raises further concerns about AI’s role in modern game development.

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AI-Generated Assets in Call of Duty: What We Know

Activision’s AI use in Black Ops 6 and Warzone extends beyond just a few isolated instances. Players and industry analysts have identified multiple elements within the game that show signs of AI involvement, including:

AI-Generated Loading Screens

The most infamous example is the “Necroclaus” Zombie Santa loading screen, which prominently features a six-fingered zombie hand—a well-documented flaw of AI image generation.

Weapon Skins and Cosmetics

Players also pointed out that various in-game weapon skins, decals, and player cards exhibit unnatural distortions and irregularities, indicating they may have been created using AI.

Marketing and Social Media Images

Even promotional artwork used for seasonal events and social media appears to be AI-generated, sparking concerns about the outsourcing of creative work in the industry.

While AI-assisted art can streamline production, the lack of transparency and potential for lower-quality assets have made many fans uneasy.

Why Activision’s AI Use Is Controversial

The use of AI in game development is a hotly debated topic, and Activision’s case has drawn criticism for multiple reasons:

Ethical Concerns and Job Displacement

Reports suggest that Activision laid off concept artists while simultaneously increasing its use of generative AI tools. This raises concerns about job security for artists in the gaming industry.

Copyright and Ownership Issues

According to the U.S. Copyright Office, AI-generated content may not be protected under copyright laws unless significantly modified by a human. This could create legal gray areas for in-game content ownership.

Lack of Transparency

Activision remained silent on its AI use for months despite mounting player concerns. Only Steam’s disclosure policy forced the publisher to acknowledge the use of AI in Call of Duty.

Quality Control Issues

AI-generated assets have already led to noticeable visual errors, like misplaced fingers, distorted anatomy, and awkward object positioning. This has fueled criticism that AI is diminishing the artistic integrity of the franchise.

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AI in Gaming: The Bigger Picture

Activision is not alone in adopting AI-driven tools. Major gaming companies, including Microsoft and Ubisoft, are investing in AI-powered development tools. Some of the key trends include:

• AI-assisted game design: AI is being used to generate environments, dialogue, and NPC behavior.
• Procedural content generation: AI is automating level design and asset creation to reduce production costs.
• AI moderation: Tools like Modulate’s ToxMod are being used to monitor in-game chat for toxic behavior.

While AI offers exciting possibilities, player backlash against AI-generated content suggests that developers must be cautious in its implementation.

Looking Ahead: What Does AI Mean for Call of Duty’s Future?

With AI’s increasing presence in game development, the Call of Duty franchise faces a crossroads. While AI tools can speed up production and reduce costs, they also raise concerns about artistic integrity, job security, and quality control.

Activision’s forced admission of AI-generated assets has damaged player trust, and the long-term impact remains to be seen.

For now, Call of Duty fans must prepare for more AI-generated content, as publishers and developers continue to explore the balance between automation and creative craftsmanship in modern game design.

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FAQs: AI and Call of Duty

Does Call of Duty use AI for gameplay mechanics?

No, Activision has only confirmed the use of AI for asset creation, such as artwork, loading screens, and cosmetics. The game’s core mechanics remain human-designed.

Why did Activision stay silent about AI use for so long?

Activision did not publicly acknowledge AI-generated content until Steam’s disclosure policy forced them to do so. Before that, the company faced criticism but chose not to address the issue directly.

Will AI-generated assets affect future Call of Duty games?

Most likely. With Microsoft heavily investing in AI, it’s possible that future Call of Duty titles will rely even more on AI-assisted development.

Can AI-generated content be removed from Call of Duty?

Unlikely. AI-generated assets are deeply integrated into the game, and Activision has not indicated any plans to replace them with manually created artwork.

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