Activision has officially disclosed its use of artificial intelligence in developing assets for popular Call of Duty titles, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone. The disclosure, which appeared on the games’ Steam pages, states: “Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets.” This confirmation comes in compliance with Steam’s policy requiring developers to disclose AI usage in their games.
Player reactions have been decidedly mixed, with many expressing that they had long suspected AI involvement in the franchise. Social media platform X saw a range of responses, from users calling the practice “lazy” to others defending its use for “mundane busy repetitive work” like creating “1000 versions of shrubs.” Critics pointed to what they perceive as “rushed, unpolished, and imbalanced works” despite AI assistance, while others raised concerns about AI replacing human jobs in the gaming industry.
The extent of AI integration remains unclear, as Activision has not specified which assets are AI-generated or how extensively the technology was employed. However, players have previously identified suspicious graphics that may indicate AI generation. Notable examples include the “Necroclaus” loading screen from Black Ops 6’s Zombies mode in December 2024, which appeared to show a six-fingered hand, and promotional imagery for a Zombies community event depicting a gloved hand with what seemed to be seven fingers total. Extra fingers are a well-known hallmark of AI-generated imagery.
This disclosure comes amid broader industry tensions over AI adoption. Microsoft, which owns Activision, recently unveiled its Muse model capable of generating game visuals and controller actions. The gaming industry experienced massive layoffs in 2024, heightening creative professionals’ fears about AI replacement. These concerns mirror those that partially drove the 2024 SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes, where improved AI protections were among key demands. Artists have also expressed worries about AI models being trained on their work without consent, potentially replicating their unique styles. Microsoft cut additional gaming division jobs at the start of 2025, though exact numbers weren’t specified.
Key Quotes
Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets.
This official statement from Activision appeared on Steam pages for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone, marking the company’s first public acknowledgment of AI usage in the franchise. The vague language leaves unclear exactly which assets or how extensively AI was employed.
The ‘mundane busy work’ is actually peoples’ jobs btw
This response from a user on X captures the central tension in the AI debate within gaming. While some defend AI for handling repetitive tasks like creating environmental assets, critics argue this dismisses the livelihoods of junior artists and asset creators who traditionally performed this work.
Our Take
Activision’s disclosure reveals the gaming industry’s uncomfortable reality: AI has already infiltrated major franchises, and companies are only now being forced to acknowledge it. The player community’s ability to spot AI artifacts—particularly the telltale extra fingers—demonstrates that current generative AI isn’t quite ready for prime time, yet studios are deploying it anyway. This suggests cost-cutting motivations may be outweighing quality concerns.
What’s particularly concerning is the timing. Microsoft is simultaneously cutting gaming jobs while expanding AI capabilities through models like Muse. This pattern suggests AI isn’t merely augmenting human creativity but actively replacing workers, validating the fears that drove 2024’s entertainment industry strikes. The lack of specificity about which assets use AI also prevents meaningful accountability or consumer choice. As AI tools improve, the industry faces a critical decision: use AI to enhance human creativity or as a cost-cutting replacement for skilled workers.
Why This Matters
This disclosure represents a significant moment in the ongoing debate about AI’s role in creative industries, particularly gaming. As one of the world’s most popular gaming franchises, Call of Duty’s confirmed AI usage signals that generative AI has moved from experimental to production-ready status in AAA game development. The timing is particularly significant given the gaming industry’s massive 2024 layoffs and ongoing concerns about AI replacing human workers.
The lack of transparency about which specific assets use AI highlights a broader industry challenge: balancing efficiency gains against creative integrity and worker concerns. Microsoft’s ownership of Activision and its recent Muse model reveal a strategic push toward AI integration across its gaming portfolio. This could set precedents for other major publishers.
The controversy also underscores growing consumer awareness and skepticism about AI-generated content. Players are increasingly able to identify AI artifacts like extra fingers, suggesting that current generative AI technology hasn’t achieved seamless integration. How the industry navigates these quality concerns, labor implications, and ethical questions about training data will shape gaming’s future and potentially influence AI adoption across other creative sectors.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/call-of-duty-activision-ai-in-some-games-2025-2