Key Highlights:
- Arc Raiders and Call of Duty Black Ops 7 were under fire for using AI solutions instead of real talent.
- It should be noted here that neither game has denied these claims.
- Ethical usage of AI in the industry is something we should aim for.
The AI wave has shaken things up across the world, including the gaming space. Like it or not, AI is the future, but what remains controllable is our ethical usage of it. Companies have been quick to join in on the bandwagon, with both Arc Raiders and Call of Duty heavily relying on AI powered experiences to deliver their vision.
That being said, some aspects of this are problematic, to say the least. While there is nothing inherently wrong with using AI, relying on it too extensively can be a bit jarring, and often create a lazy, half baked product that almost always misses the mark.
Arc Raiders and Call of Duty Receive Heavy Criticism for AI Powered In-Game Solutions
Arc Raiders was under fire recently following the revelation that the game made use of AI generated voices for key NPC to player interactions, almost entirely removing the need for real voice actors in these situations, with some rather disappointing results.
Not to be outdone, Call of Duty also had its own stint with the same controversy of using generative AI. The game features a ton of AI generated assets, but what stands out the most are the calling cards for Black Ops 7 which appear to be entirely AI generated, and of relatively poor quality.
Also Read: Arc Raiders Maintaining Steam Deck Compatibility Is Something That Call of Duty Could Never Do
Neither move has gone without its fair share of criticism, and there’s some truth to these issues. If a game as successful as Arc Raiders, or one with as much sway as Call of Duty implements AI as a replacement for real workers, it could set the trend for the industry moving forward.
Neither of the teams and companies behind the games have denied these revelations, and in the case of Black Ops 7 the game even comes with an obligatory disclaimer.
This level of AI implementation in a game in unprecedented, and is not something to look forward to in the future. AI should be used as a tool to improve existing work, and not as a half baked, slop ridden way to undercut the talented industry.
There Should Be a Middle Ground, and One That Doesn’t Undercut Artists
AI is not a replacement for real artists. It is simply a helping tool, and one when used correctly, can make workflows effectively hassle free and efficient.
Undercutting artists and replacing them with AI generated works is a really nasty thing to do, which is even worse when you consider that most AI generated works on their own are of quite poor quality, and almost entirely based on pre-existing data that makes them effectively plagiarized work.
It’s an insult to existing artists who put in real effort, and just comes off as a lazy workaround. More so when you consider that these aren’t small scale indie devs who can’t afford proper talents due to budget concerns.
These are well established companies who willingly choose to remove actual talents from the equation to maximize profits.
AI definitely has its uses, but the current implementation of this tech is nothing short of frustrating and bizarre. Admittedly, we’re still in the early stages of AI blossoming and maturing as a product, so these growing pains are somewhat expected.
How we use the tech to push forward the gaming medium depends on us really, and setting proper safeguards and quality standards early is quite necessary, to prevent things from souring down the line.
