Crimson Desert Developer Apologizes for Unintentional Inclusion of AI-Generated Assets

Pearl Abyss, the developer of the recently launched open-world RPG Crimson Desert, has issued an apology following the discovery of AI-generated art assets within the game. The company acknowledged using “experimental AI generative tools” during the early stages of development but stated that these assets were intended as placeholders and were not meant to be included in the final release.

AI Assets Identified by the Community

Players quickly noticed potential instances of generative AI usage shortly after Crimson Desert’s launch, sharing their findings on social media. Pearl Abyss responded on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that some of these assets were “unintentionally included” in the final build [TheGamer].

Placeholder Status and Future Updates

According to Pearl Abyss, the AI-generated 2D visual props were utilized during the initial phases of production to rapidly explore the game’s tone, and atmosphere. The intention was always to replace these assets with original artwork created by their art and development teams [GameRant]. The company is now conducting a comprehensive audit of all in-game assets and is taking steps to replace any affected content, with updates expected in upcoming patches [PCGamesN].

Transparency and Communication

Pearl Abyss also stated they will review their internal communication processes to ensure greater transparency with players in the future. This includes providing clearer disclosures regarding the use of AI tools during development [Destructoid].

Industry-Wide Concerns and Previous Incidents

The Crimson Desert situation mirrors a recent incident involving Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33, which was stripped of its Indie Game Awards due to the use of AI-generated placeholder textures that were mistakenly left in the final game [TheGamer]. Embark Studios, the developer of Arc Raiders, also faced backlash and is currently replacing AI-generated material in their game [TheGamer].

Steam Disclosure

The game’s Steam page now includes a disclosure stating that generative AI technology is used in a supplementary capacity during the creation of some 2D prop assets, which are subsequently replaced [GameRant].