According to Kotaku, Electronic Arts is investigating accusations that generative AI-generated content appears in Battlefield 6’s Season 1 winter cosmetics after fans identified anomalies in paid stickers. The claims emerged from player scrutiny of the Windchill bundle, priced at just under $10, prompting concerns over production practices.
The accusations surfaced over the weekend when players shared images of a sticker from the Windchill bundle. This cosmetic depicts a character aiming down the scope of a double-barreled rifle. Fans quickly labeled it as low-quality AI-generated imagery. A viral post on the game’s subreddit stated, “Two barrels on the M4A1, sure. I would literally prefer to have no sticker than some low-quality AI-generated garbage. You can look at BO7 and see how many favors AI-generated rewards won with them.” The post highlighted the rifle’s unrealistic design, as the M4A1 carbine features a single barrel.
This criticism spurred fans to conduct an “AI vibe check” on additional cosmetics within Battlefield 6. They examined various in-game stickers and other items for similar irregularities. One example includes a bear sticker where the paws display more than ten claws. Although not as pronounced as anomalies in other titles, such as the six-fingered Santa Zombie loading screen in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, these observations have fueled speculation about broader use of generative AI tools in post-launch development.
Players question whether Battlefield 6’s ongoing content creation involves outsourcing designs to generative AI services. Such practices would conflict with assurances from EA Vice President Rebecka Coutaz, who oversees DICE and other Battlefield development teams. In a BBC interview earlier this year, Coutaz stated that fans would not see AI-generated imagery in the final game. She clarified that the technology serves earlier production phases “to allow more time and more space to be creative.” The double-barreled rifle sticker directly challenges this commitment regarding final content.
Generative AI content can infiltrate large-scale titles through established workflows. Concept artists often generate AI references for initial designs, then manually paint over them digitally to refine details. Another pathway involves subcontracted outsourcing teams that deliver cosmetics passing through expedited review processes. These methods, while efficient, risk unpolished AI artifacts reaching players if oversight lapses.
EA has actively promoted AI integration across its operations. During the company’s earnings report in May, CEO Andrew Wilson described AI to investors as “a powerful accelerator of creativity, innovation, and player connection.” Employees in departments including art, quality assurance, marketing, and customer service received encouragement to incorporate AI tools into daily tasks. Last month, reports confirmed AI usage in generating the full cover art for the Deluxe Edition of NHL 26.
The double-barreled rifle serves as a prominent indicator of AI involvement due to its anatomical impossibility on the weapon. Other detected errors, like the excessive claws on the bear, could arise from quality control shortcomings rather than direct AI generation. Battlefield 6’s post-launch schedule demands rapid deployment of new content and microtransactions, contributing to these issues. A source familiar with the game’s production explained that the current roadmap’s extensive scope has strained resources, reducing capacity for comprehensive reviews of all submitted materials.
Player backlash against generative AI in gaming has escalated toward year’s end, positioning Battlefield 6 amid widespread scrutiny. EA has not responded to requests for comment on the investigation or cosmetics production.
