Crimson Desert Used AI Art – Pearl Abyss Apologizes

South Korean game developer Pearl Abyss has confirmed that some 2D assets in Crimson Desert were created using “experimental AI tools” during early development and were unintentionally left in the final game release. The company issued an apology for the oversight.

During development, some 2D visual props were created as part of early stage iteration using experimental generative-AI tools. These assets helped us rapidly explore tone and atmosphere in the earlier phases of production.

However, our intention has always been for any such assets to be replaced, following final work and review by our art and development teams, with work that aligned with our quality standards and creative direction. — Pearl Abyss

The revelation came after players noticed bizarre visual errors in paintings within the open-world game, including distorted depictions of horses, and riders. Pearl Abyss stated that the AI-generated props were originally intended as placeholders and should have been removed before the game shipped. This incident underscores the increasing scrutiny surrounding the apply of artificial intelligence in game development and the importance of transparency with players.

The company also acknowledged that it should have been more upfront about its use of generative AI. “We also acknowledge that we should have disclosed the use of AI more clearly,” Pearl Abyss said in a statement. “While these AI tools were primarily used in the early production phase, with the expectation that these assets would be replaced before release, we recognize that this does not excuse the lack of transparency.”

We also acknowledge that we should have disclosed the use of AI more clearly. While these AI tools were primarily used in the early production phase, in the expectation that these assets would be replaced before release, we recognize that this does not excuse the lack of transparency. — Pearl Abyss

Pearl Abyss has pledged to conduct a “comprehensive audit of all in-game assets” and replace any affected content in upcoming patches. The developer also plans to review and strengthen its internal processes to improve communication with players moving forward.