Crimson Desert Community Divided Over AI-Generated vs. Poorly Crafted In-Game Artwork

Amidst a whirlwind of player feedback on convoluted controls, stock sell-offs by investors, and a mix of reviews, the highly anticipated action-adventure title Crimson Desert has had a tumultuous launch week. Now, players are diving into a new debate: whether the latest release from Pearl Abyss features AI-generated art.

Since its release on Thursday, numerous players have posted screenshots of in-game artwork they suspect might be AI-generated. One particular painting, highlighted by Lex Luddy on Bluesky, is so bizarre that it raises eyebrows. It appears to depict a historical battle, but a closer look reveals a chaotic scene filled with centaurs and other strange half-human, half-horse creatures brandishing spears.

The figures on the ground next to them seem to morph into rocks as well. (This artwork is also framed in an ornate gold frame that seems far too nice for such a questionable piece!)

Players have also speculated about other in-game paintings, like a woodcut shared by Reddit user Ok-Error-403. “Been playing for 6 hours now and honestly am loving the game, but damn is it really disappointing to see Pearl Abyss use AI art every now and then throughout the world,” they noted. However, many others chimed in to express their disagreement, asserting that this specific painting doesn’t appear to be AI-generated.

It remains unclear whether these artworks are merely placeholder images mistakenly left in the game, a clumsy attempt at using AI art, or simply the result of other non-AI-related issues. Crimson Desert is an expansive game filled with intricate details and systems, so subpar in-game art could just stem from a lack of quality control. Since early 2024, Steam has mandated that developers disclose any use of generative AI on their game store pages. If Crimson Desert does indeed utilize AI-generated art, even unintentionally, Pearl Abyss could be violating this important guideline. While it’s unlikely the game will face serious repercussions from Valve—especially after selling two million copies in a single day—it may need to add a disclosure notice or quickly patch the problematic images.

Regardless, many players, myself included, are now apprehensive about encountering these artworks as we explore the vast world of Pywel.

Pearl Abyss has not yet responded to requests for comment.