Not that there was any doubt about it, but Pearl Abyss has confirmed that Crimson Desert features AI-generated elements. A statement posted on social media by the studio shed light on the matter.
The South Korean company explains that it used 2D assets designed with generative AI tools early in development. These were supposed to be replaced, but some apparently slipped through the cracks. Pearl Abyss has apologized for its lack of transparency and promises to remove the affected assets via future updates.
A comprehensive audit of all elements in Crimson Desert is currently underway.
We would like to address questions regarding the use of AI in Crimson Desert.
During development, some 2D visual props were created as part of early-stage iteration using experimental AI generative tools. These assets helped us rapidly explore tone and atmosphere in the earlier phases of production. However, our intention has always been for any such assets to be replaced, following final work and review by our art and development teams, with work that aligned with our quality standards and creative direction.
Following reports from our community, we have identified that some of these assets were unintentionally included in the final release. This is not in line with our internal standards, and we take full responsibility for it.
We also acknowledge that we should have clearly disclosed our use of AI. While these tools were primarily used during early production, with the expectation that these assets would be replaced prior to release, we recognize that this does not excuse the lack of transparency.
We sincerely apologize for these oversights.
We are currently conducting a comprehensive audit of all in-game assets and are taking steps to replace any affected content. Updated assets will be rolled out in upcoming patches. In parallel, we are reviewing and strengthening our internal processes to ensure greater transparency and consistency in how we communicate with players moving forward.”
