With the continued explosive popularity of the Call of Duty franchise, Activision Blizzard recently confirmed the use of generative AI in the development process. While the player community had already suspected this, evidenced by some unusual character designs, the official statement has drawn significant attention.
The Steam page for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 explicitly mentions, "Our team uses generative AI tools to assist in the development of in-game assets." However, the specifics of its usage remain unclear. Based on available information, some Calling Cards and other unlockable cosmetic items are created using this technology. Surprisingly, these items are often bundled and sold in operator packs for real money.
Beyond character appearances, some in-game promotional artwork also utilizes generative AI. For instance, recent in-game visuals exhibit clear stylistic effects attributable to this technology. This practice has sparked criticism from players who believe that a team of the size and caliber behind one of the world's largest game franchises shouldn't rely on cost-cutting measures.
As the gaming industry increasingly embraces new technologies, the use of generative AI is likely to become more prevalent. However, this development has disappointed some players. Given the substantial resources and dedicated teams behind Call of Duty, the choice to take shortcuts in certain areas seems counterintuitive.
Key Points:
🌟 Activision Blizzard confirms the use of generative AI in the Call of Duty series.
💰 Game assets created using generative AI, including unlockable cosmetic items, are frequently sold for real money.
🤔 Players express concerns about the use of this technology, believing that large-scale game development shouldn't rely on cost-cutting practices.