Heads up, Operators! A storm is brewing among the ranks of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 players, sending shockwaves across social media today! Gamers are sounding off on what they suspect to be AI-generated art assets in their beloved game.
Imagine this: you're diving into the latest CoD, and suddenly, those calling card images start to feel... different. Players are saying that these images flaunt a Studio Ghibli style, reminiscent of an AI-Ghibli trend from earlier this year. One fired-up fan even called out the blatant Sora/Grok art style on Twitter!
What's Activision got to say? Well, the gaming giant has issued a cryptic message, telling outlets like PC Gamer, "We utilize a mix of digital tools, AI included, to empower our talented teams." But hold up – the Steam page mentions: "Our team uses generative AI tools for some in-game assets." That's like a ninja-level stealth move of an explanation!
This isn't the first time CoD has been in the crosshairs for AI antics! Back in February, Black Ops 6 faced similar heat when players saw a 'zombie Santa' loading screen made with generative AI – affectionately dubbed "AI slop" by its critics.
Then, in a bombshell almost too hot to handle, Black Ops 7's associate creative director, Miles Leslie, said this past August: “We've got generative AI tools to help us streamline content, not replace our stellar team.” But fans fired back, demanding answers on why AI art persists in the final cut.
Here we are on the frontline with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, now available to play. While we've hit the campaign trail, our review squad's not entirely sold – calling it "a wild one that might miss as much as it hits." It's a mission that stretches the boundaries of ambition but occasionally fumbles the landing.
What say you, soldiers? Set those thoughts ablaze in the community as we await the next strategic move from Activision!
Check out this latest fiery chapter in the CoD saga, and fuel the conversation with comments from Rebekah Valentine, senior reporter at IGN. Follow her bravura posts on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got insider intel? Drop her a line at rvalentine@ign.com!