Highlights
- Pearl Abyss apologizes for AI art in Crimson Desert and launches a full asset audit.
- Player reports of distorted artwork triggered scrutiny and disclosure concerns.
- Steam page reportedly updated post-launch to acknowledge limited use of generative AI.
Pearl Abyss began auditing Crimson Desert after confirming AI-generated assets were unintentionally included in the final release. The developer apologized for the oversight. It reported that replacement content will be delivered through patches following community reports highlighting suspicious in-game artwork.
The disclosure came days after the game’s launch, which drew mixed reviews despite strong early sales.
Players first raised concerns after noticing distorted paintings and signage across the open-world environment. Screenshots circulated on social media showed irregular anatomy and inconsistent proportions, particularly in depictions of characters and horses.
Some Reddit threads later highlighted additional examples, increasing scrutiny over whether generative AI had been used without disclosure.
Pearl Abyss Confirms AI Tools Were Used During Development
Pearl Abyss disclosed that some 2D props were created using experimental generative AI tools during early production. They were intended to be replaced before release. The studio admitted that several of those assets remained in the shipped version.
“Following reports from our community, we have identified that some of these assets were unintentionally included in the final release,” the company stated on X. It added that the situation “is not in line with our internal standards.”
The developer also noted a transparency lapse. “We also acknowledge that we should have clearly disclosed our use of AI,” the statement said, alongside an apology for the oversight.
Pearl Abyss confirmed it is reviewing all in-game assets and strengthening internal processes while rolling out replacements in upcoming updates.
Steam AI Disclosure Policy Adds Pressure
The issue gained additional attention because Steam requires developers to disclose AI-generated content on store pages. Crimson Desert initially launched without such a notice, raising compliance concerns.
A disclosure, allegedly added later to the Steam page, describes limited use of generative AI for certain 2D props.
The controversy emerged alongside other launch issues. The game reportedly sold 2M copies within a day but received mixed user reviews, with criticism focused on performance, controls, and visuals.
The incident highlights ongoing industry tensions around generative AI in game development. Disclosure and asset quality remain central concerns as studios increasingly experiment with AI-assisted workflows.
