Activision Confirms Use of AI for Call of Duty Assets After Backlash

Activision, the mastermind behind Call of Duty, has finally come clean about using generative AI in the development of Black Ops 6, nearly three months after fans accused the company of churning out "AI slop" with a Zombie Santa loading screen. Back in December, following the Season 1 Reloaded update, eagle-eyed fans spotted signs of AI use in various loading screens, calling cards, and art pieces explaining Zombies community events.

The eye of the storm was the 'Necroclaus' loading screen, featuring a Zombie Santa that some claimed had six fingers. Generative AI is notorious for its struggles with rendering hands correctly, often resulting in extra digits. Another image used to illustrate a new Zombies community event showed a gloved hand that appeared to have six fingers without a thumb, suggesting up to seven digits.

Black Ops 6's 'Necroclaus' loading screen. Image credit: Activision Publishing.

The central image includes a gloved hand with some odd things going on. Image credit: Activision Publishing.

The controversy surrounding the Zombie Santa image led fans to scrutinize other images in Black Ops 6, sparking discussions on platforms like Reddit. Redditor Shaun_LaDee pointed out irregularities in images from paid bundles, hinting at the use of generative AI.

Amid the 6 fingered Santa Controversy, I looked into some loading screens included in PAID bundles…
byu/Shaun_LaDee inCODZombies

In response to fan outcry and new AI disclosure rules on Steam, Activision added a vague disclosure to Black Ops 6's Steam page, stating: "Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets."

In July, Wired reported that Activision sold an "AI-generated cosmetic" for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 last year, linked to the Yokai's Wrath bundle released in December 2023. This bundle, priced at 1,500 COD Points (approximately $15), did not disclose the use of generative AI. Wired also highlighted that Microsoft, which acquired Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, laid off 1,900 staff from its gaming business shortly after this sale. An anonymous Activision artist revealed that many 2D artists were let go, and remaining concept artists were pressured to use AI, with employees allegedly forced to undergo AI training.

The use of generative AI is a hot-button issue in the video game and entertainment industries, both of which have faced significant layoffs recently. Criticism from players and creators stems from ethical and rights issues, as well as AI's inability to consistently produce content that audiences enjoy. Keywords Studios, for instance, attempted to create an experimental game entirely with AI but failed, admitting to investors that AI could not replace human talent.