The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Developers Acknowledge Use of Generative AI While Emphasizing Full Human Creation

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, a game reminiscent of Mass Effect and inspired by James S. A. Corey’s acclaimed book series, has just dropped a new trailer along with a tentative release window set for spring 2027 during a recent showcase. While the game is generating excitement, the spotlight is primarily on Owlcat Games’ announcement regarding the use of generative AI in its development process.

According to insights shared by an outlet that spoke with Owlcat Games’ PR manager before the showcase, the studio plans to utilize generative AI tools during development, but insists that the final product will remain “human made.” PR manager Katharina Popp clarified, “We don’t use it to create any assets that will be in the game. We use it a lot for prototyping, trying things out, placeholders. They will all be replaced at the end… We use it basically for trying out things on a technical level.”

Popp elaborated, “For example, looking at how a 2D image translates into 3D, or adjusting colors to see what looks good. It’s essentially about speeding up the iteration process. But we don’t use it to write, we don’t use AI voice actors, so everything that will be in the final version will definitely 100 percent be human made.”

The studio had previously addressed its position on generative AI tools back in March 2024, following a job listing for a concept artist that sought candidates with experience in “concept generation using AI and other modern tools.”

However, as seen with titles like Crimson Desert, even if generative AI is only employed for placeholders and prototyping, there’s a chance some of that content could make its way into the final release. While I personally have reservations about AI-generated content, claiming that artwork will be entirely “human made” when it’s influenced by AI iterations feels somewhat ambiguous. You can modify it extensively, but the AI’s impact will always linger, regardless of whether players notice or care.