Call of Dutys AI Skin Controversy Explained

Highlights

Call of Duty’s parent company Activision is allegedly using generative AI like GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 in its games.
Reports indicate that Modern Warfare 3’s Yokai cosmetic bundle was created at least in part using AI.
The use of AI in game development could lead to job losses for writers, artists, and programmers, impacting creativity and human expression in gaming.

As a lifelong gamer with over two decades of immersion in this ever-evolving digital universe, I find myself standing at the precipice of a new era that leaves me both awestruck and apprehensive. The latest revelations about Activision’s alleged use of AI in creating assets for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 have sent shockwaves through the gaming community, and rightly so.

In the realm of popular video games, Call of Duty stands as a colossus. Despite its annual releases, which sometimes face criticism, it has managed to maintain its significance over a long duration. The introduction of its free-to-play mode, Warzone, has even turned the franchise into something akin to a live service, attracting millions of players monthly. Consequently, Call of Duty frequently finds itself under scrutiny, with numerous eyes watching for any contentious issues or debatable choices.

Presently, there’s growing suspicion, as suggested by a recent Wired report, that Activision Blizzard, the company behind Call of Duty, is subtly advancing artificial intelligence within its main series. The investigation includes statements from several AAA developers and leaked emails from Activision advocating for AI in their games. It appears that advanced AI technology, such as GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, could potentially displace numerous skilled workers in the gaming sector, including writers, artists, and programmers. These professionals now face the daunting prospect of losing their jobs in an industry that has been increasingly unfriendly towards labor rights. The report even hints at a cosmetic item in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 possibly being created with the help of generative AI.

Why Call of Duty’s Alleged AI Use Is a Big Deal

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s Yokai Bundle Was Reportedly Made Using AI

According to a recent article by Wired, the Yokai’s Wrath bundle in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 from last December might have been created using artificial intelligence (AI). However, it’s unclear exactly which part of the bundle was generated by AI, as the kit contains various components like an Operator skin and weapon blueprint. The Operator skin, priced at $15 USD in Modern Warfare 3’s in-game store, does not mention anything about being created with generative AI. Furthermore, Wired’s report suggests that due to mass layoffs within their teams, Activision is allegedly making their 2D artists use AI instead.

In the last few years, there’s been a significant growth in generative AI technology, which has sparked worries among creatives across various sectors. While some corporations like Nintendo seem cautious or skeptical about AI, others remain either quiet or optimistic regarding its potential uses. Without a doubt, generative AI is an advanced technology, but it seems to favor large businesses over individual needs. In fact, artificial intelligence could potentially help companies cut costs, but at the expense of human jobs and creativity.

AI Art in Gaming Comes at a Serious Cost

The advancement of AI could potentially threaten the jobs and income of video game creatives due to cost-cutting measures by profit-driven companies, including those like Activision, who are known for large-scale layoffs to save on labor costs. If these corporations see AI as a means to produce game assets more economically, they might pursue this strategy, which appears rather callous and narrow-minded in the long term.

For individuals who view games as artistic creations, and that group should encompass everyone playing games, this idea is alarming and disheartening. Beyond the significant human impact of replacing artists with artificial intelligence, the concept of games gradually transforming into a mix of human work and purely computer-generated elements makes them profit-driven machines rather than platforms for creative expression and enjoyment. This corruption of what many perceive as a valuable medium has ignited a wave of negative responses to AI creation from consumers, possibly leading companies like Square Enix to reconsider their stance on generative AI.

AI’s Possible Future in Game Development

It’s interesting to draw parallels between the recent controversies surrounding Call of Duty and Square Enix’s stance on AI this summer. Back in June, Square Enix, the publisher of Final Fantasy, mentioned that they have a system in place where any AI tools used internally are thoroughly inspected before use. This approach to AI, which is employed as a tool to assist game development rather than replace it, seems to be less controversial compared to the idea of an entire video game being designed or created by AI.

It’s no surprise that the news of Activision allegedly creating game assets with AI and charging high prices is causing a stir. Many people feel strongly that their entertainment should originate from human creativity rather than advanced artificial intelligence. After all, it’s human imagination that breathes life into video games, making them captivating, enjoyable, and full of surprises. Unfortunately, generative AI is often seen as predictable and uninspired, which can result in a less appealing product at best, and a deceptive sales pitch at worst.

Call of Duty’s Alleged AI Content Could Be the Tip of the Iceberg

Moving forward, it’s evident that the video game industry will need to address the growing influence of AI-generated content: recent titles such as Foamstars have been confirmed to utilize some form of AI art, and the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike is a clear reaction to the increasing use of generative AI in gaming. This development, hinted at by the potential inclusion of generative AI in Call of Duty, underscores the importance of this topic for those following gaming or tech news.

Despite facing considerable backlash, it’s clear that Call of Duty has established itself as a massive gaming franchise, arguably leading the pack in terms of significance and popularity within the market. The concern arises when it seems that if Call of Duty can profit from AI-generated content, then any franchise – large or small – could follow suit. As we witness more art being generated by AI systems, trained on the creations of real artists, this development raises concerns for both creators and consumers alike. The recent AI reports concerning Call of Duty are troubling because they might set a damaging precedent and signal the growing influence of technology over human creativity, potentially resulting in less engaging art.

2024-08-04 03:53