Crimson Desert Developers Address AI-Generated Art Oversight and Plan Removal

The Korean open-world fantasy game Crimson Desert has made a splash with its launch, but it hasn’t been without its hiccups. The game’s stunning graphics and high fidelity were major selling points, so it was disappointing for players to discover what seemed to be AI-generated artwork scattered throughout the experience. In response to this letdown, developer Pearl Abyss has issued an apology, vowing to remove and replace the problematic content.

“We also recognize that we should have been more transparent about our use of AI,” the Crimson Desert account shared on X. “We are currently conducting a thorough audit of all in-game assets and are taking steps to replace any affected content. Updated assets will be introduced in upcoming patches. At the same time, we are reviewing and enhancing our internal processes to ensure better transparency and consistency in our communication with players moving forward.”

We want to clarify our approach to AI in Crimson Desert.

During development, some 2D visual props were created using experimental AI generative tools as part of early-stage iteration. These assets allowed us to quickly explore tone and atmosphere in the initial phases…

In the days following the game’s release, players stumbled upon in-game paintings that resembled AI-generated images mimicking historical art styles. Features like distorted faces, bizarre anatomy, and caricatures raised eyebrows, indicating that Pearl Abyss had used AI to generate placeholder assets during development, a fact the developer confirmed in their apology.

“During development, some 2D visual props were created as part of early-stage iteration using experimental AI generative tools,” the official account stated. “These assets helped us rapidly explore tone and atmosphere in the earlier phases of production. However, our intention has always been to replace these assets with final work that meets our quality standards and creative vision, following thorough review by our art and development teams.”

While the use of AI in game development is becoming more prevalent among AAA studios, critics argue that relying on temporary assets that draw attention can be a misstep. In expansive games, bright green blocks marked “DO NOT USE” are far easier to identify than something that closely resembles the final product.

This isn’t the first time Pearl Abyss has swiftly addressed criticism. Just days ago, the developer committed to fixing the game’s clunky control scheme.