Jagex Pulls RuneScape Trailer Amid Urgent Investigation into AI Claims

Jagex has pulled a new trailer for RuneScape 3 and announced an urgent investigation after fans expressed concerns that it may have utilized generative AI.

As of now, the trailer has been removed from all official channels, although some streamers have shared their reactions highlighting the issues. Unveiled during RuneFest over the weekend, the trailer introduced a new questline titled Dragon Slayer 2. Typically, this would be an exciting addition for RuneScape 3, given that Dragon Slayer and its sequel are iconic high-level quests in the classic version of the game. However, many fans noted peculiarities in the sketchbook-style trailer, including a knight with six fingers on one hand and another shot featuring what appeared to be Nike shoes.

In a Reddit post, Jagex’s social media manager, Alex Sween, addressed the situation:

“We’re aware of the concerns regarding the Dragon Slayer 2 trailer and have taken it down while we investigate. This trailer was created by a trusted external partner who assured us that generative AI would not be involved. However, the presence of a sixth finger is difficult to justify, and we apologize for that.

At Jagex, our stance is clear: we do not use generative AI in our games, artwork, or creative assets, and we will not allow it to be used on our behalf. This is the second instance in quick succession where generative AI concerns have emerged from partners we trusted, highlighting a need for us to reassess our processes.

Following RuneFest, we will be revamping our review procedures and collaborating with community creators to ensure that the story of Dragon Slayer II is told to the high standards expected of such an update.”

The “second instance” Sween refers to involves a recent apology from Jagex and another entity after generative AI was discovered in a collaborative Old School RuneScape T-shirt design. “We’re as frustrated as you are about this,” Sween commented on Reddit regarding that incident. “We would never have approved the use of AI in any designs. We don’t use generative AI to replace our artists and developers, nor in our marketing materials, and we won’t allow it in our merchandising or partnerships.”

Initially, fans were outraged by the two consecutive uses of generative AI, especially after Jagex had previously stated that the technology would not be employed. However, following Jagex’s latest statement, some community members expressed sympathy for the team, who seem to have been caught off guard by external partners. “Great response overall here,” wrote Wildest12 in a reply to Sween. “You got dealt a tough hand and you’re handling it well. I can relate to having people use AI against policy in work submissions – it happens in my field too.”

Others, however, were less forgiving. “You literally didn’t even watch the trailer before it was posted,” commented Ok_Project_8078. “Even if an external partner made it, how do you explain that?”

On a brighter note, other announcements at RuneFest were received more positively, including the reveal of a fourth RuneScape MMO currently in development, accompanied by a concept teaser.