Capcom producer Masato Kumazawa stated the company views the controversy surrounding the DLSS 5 AI version of character Grace Ashcroft as a positive indication of the original design’s popularity. Kumazawa shared insights about the game’s development in an interview with Eurogamer, asserting that the backlash confirmed fans preferred Grace’s initial appearance over the AI-altered version.
“The fact a lot of players commented they really liked the original design of Grace and didn’t want to see it changed was a positive,” Kumazawa said. He remarked that this strong preference demonstrates that Grace quickly became a fan favorite.
Grace Ashcroft debuted as one of two playable characters in Resident Evil Requiem, which launched in February. According to Kumazawa, the enthusiastic reception of Grace is a factor in why fans reacted negatively to the AI-altered version revealed by Nvidia in March.
The DLSS 5 showcase aimed to highlight advancements in gaming visuals but faced significant criticism, particularly regarding Resident Evil Requiem. Fans expressed disappointment, comparing the AI version of Grace’s face to social media AI filters. Comments included “This is horrendous” and “I love seeing my comfort character turned into a sloppy AI mess.”
Reports indicated that some Capcom developers were unaware that Resident Evil Requiem would feature in Nvidia’s DLSS 5 showcase ahead of its announcement. Additionally, Bethesda responded to the backlash, stating that its artists would gain more control over the technology moving forward.
Looking ahead, Capcom plans to employ AI to aid in game development but intends to avoid generative AI. Kumazawa reassured players that Grace would not receive an AI-generated makeover in the near future.
