After much speculation, Activision now owns up to using generative AI to create "some" in-game content for Call of Duty.
Honestly, it's more frustrating than anything else now. The disclosure appeared on Black Ops 6's Steam page as part of Valve's new policy requiring AI-generated content to be labeled.
As expected, Activision didn't exactly announce this with fanfare; it was CharlieIntel who first shared the screenshot on X. Activision kept things vague and didn't give many details (nothing new there), but it's clear that AI has been part of the process for some time.
One of the biggest red flags was that infamous BO6 holiday-themed loading screen featuring a zombified Santa with an extra finger (because nothing says quality control like an AI-generated anatomical nightmare). Calling cards, emblems, and some textures give off a clear AI feel, full of warped details and strange artifacts.
AI has also been added to moderation tools to automatically keep an eye on voice chats and flag toxic behavior. The idea sounds good in theory, but AI moderation can be unpredictable, which could result in innocent players being flagged while the real troublemakers find ways to slip through.
It's not about the AI itself but why Activision even decided to use it. This is a billion-dollar franchise, yet instead of investing in human artists and developers, they're leaning on AI-generated assets.
This news comes just as voice actors have been speaking out about AI-generated performances, and with COD's Zombies mode swapping out long-time actors, many are guessing it's linked to contract issues over AI protections.
The response from the COD player base has been overwhelmingly negative, with many expressing their frustration online. Since AI is already producing cosmetics and artwork, what's to stop it from branching out into map design or story writing? The more AI shapes COD, the more it could drift away from being a creative game into a product made for profit.
Given that Activision has come clean about using AI, it's hard to see them drawing the line here. This looks like a trial run to figure out what they can get away with. It's happening with COD and pretty much everywhere in gaming. AI-generated assets are becoming more common, and if big publishers can save money by cutting out human artists and writers, they absolutely will.
The main concern for most players now is whether Activision will actually listen to feedback or continue doubling down. Given their history, I wouldn't count on them doing the right thing.
However, if they keep going down this route without enough transparency or quality control, players will need to decide if this is the game they want to support.