Battlefield 6 Addresses Cosmetic Issues Following AI Controversy

Back in December, Battlefield 6 faced criticism for introducing cosmetics that seemed to incorporate generative AI elements. Reports indicated that EA was aware of the situation and was investigating the matter during the winter break. Were players justified in their outrage? EA hasn’t provided a clear answer. The closest indication we have is a recent patch that modifies some of the in-game items that were under scrutiny.

“Updated the Objective Ace and Winter Warning cosmetics to better align with Battlefield’s visual identity,” states one of the changelog notes for the latest update. While the company hasn’t elaborated on the specific changes made or the reasons behind them, players quickly linked this update to the controversy that arose during Christmas week.

The initial backlash began when players spotted an M4A1 emblem from the winter cosmetic pack that featured two barrels. This prompted a closer examination of other recent additions to the game, revealing oddities like a bear with extra claws. Additionally, some fans criticized EA in early January for the Objective Ace operator mask, which bore a striking resemblance to the one worn by Call of Duty’s Ghost.

How did such an obvious oversight make it into the game? Many players pointed fingers at the use of generative AI. Reports suggested that one of the issues stemmed from the overwhelming amount of content promised for Battlefield 6’s launch and beyond. Without adequate resources and quality control, subpar items could slip through in various ways. Call of Duty has also faced its own challenges with generative AI content making its way into the game.

Despite EA CEO Andrew Wilson’s enthusiasm for leveraging emerging AI technology to transform the company, EA VP Rebecka Coutaz, who oversees DICE and the teams developing Battlefield, stated last year that no generative AI would be included in the final game. However, she didn’t guarantee that it wasn’t utilized at any point during development. EA is also in the process of being sold to Saudi Arabia and a consortium of other investors later this summer.