Developers Now Required to Confirm Their Trailers Are Created by Humans Amid AI Concerns

Last week, during Gamescom Opening Night Live, the highly anticipated announcement trailer for the upcoming Civilization-like strategy game, Humankind 2, was unveiled. Almost immediately, online chatter erupted, with many claiming the trailer appeared to be partially or entirely created using AI tools. The studio behind the game quickly refuted these claims and has since shared an extended behind-the-scenes video showcasing how the trailer was crafted with real sets and live actors.

On September 4, Amplitude Studios released a minute-and-a-half video packed with behind-the-scenes footage from the trailer’s production. The studio explained that this glimpse into the trailer’s creation was a response to numerous comments labeling it as “AI slop.” According to Amplitude, no AI tools were involved in generating any aspect of the trailer. Instead, it featured a blend of real people, animals, sets, and CGI visuals and effects.

The team behind Humankind 2, set to launch in 2027, collaborated with BETC, a creative agency known for its work on trailers for the original Humankind. The trailer was filmed across multiple practical sets, each meticulously designed to represent different historical eras, complete with unique costumes, props, lighting, and performances that brought each period to life. BETC also worked alongside CGI and visual effects studio LiveFX to enhance certain elements of the trailer, adding in CG tornadoes, explosions, and more.

“Our ambition was to condense the breadth of human history into 73 seconds without losing its emotional weight,” said Benjamin Le Breton, Creative Director at BETC, in a press release. “Instead of telling a story about civilizations, we wanted audiences to experience them. Seeing the world through the eyes of a newborn allowed us to traverse nine different eras and reminds us that while every generation inherits the legacy of those before it, each one also has the opportunity to redefine the future.”

So, why did so many viewers jump to the conclusion that the trailer was AI-generated? I have a few theories. For starters, the trailer’s somewhat stiff POV shot, combined with a post-production blurriness, may have confused some viewers. Additionally, many people likely watched it on their phones, where finer details can be harder to discern. With the general anxiety surrounding AI-generated content and Gamescom showcasing titles that do utilize generative AI, it’s easy to see how a trailer made by real people featuring real actors could be misidentified as AI-generated.

I’ve been vocal about my disdain for AI-generated content, but it’s crucial to be cautious when making accusations without solid evidence. Labeling everything that seems slightly off or fuzzy as “AI slop” only makes it easier for genuine low-quality content to slip through while unfairly discrediting the hard work of those who created something authentic.