Pearl Abyss apologized for including AI-generated art in its recently launched game, Crimson Desert. The developer stated it used experimental AI tools for some 2D visual props during development and failed to replace them before release.
The presence of AI-generated content led to immediate player complaints and raised questions about the use of such technology in game development within the industry.
Pearl Abyss posted on X, formerly Twitter, that “experimental AI generative tools” were used for some 2D visual props to explore “tone and atmosphere” during early development phases.
We would like to address questions regarding the use of AI in Crimson Desert.
During development, some 2D visual props were created as part of early-stage iteration using experimental AI generative tools. These assets helped us rapidly explore tone and atmosphere in the earlier…
— Crimson Desert (@CrimsonDesert_) March 22, 2026
Players identified the AI-generated art shortly after Crimson Desert’s launch, posting their findings on social media platforms. The company acknowledged that “following reports from our community, we have identified that some of these assets were unintentionally included in the final release.”
Crimson Desert’s Steam page now includes a disclosure stating that “generative AI technology is used in a supplementary capacity during the creation of some 2D prop assets” which are later replaced.
Pearl Abyss committed to a “comprehensive audit of all in-game assets” and will replace affected content in future patches. The developer also plans an internal review of its communication strategies to ensure greater “transparency and consistency” with its player base.
Other developers have faced similar issues, including Sandfall Interactive, whose game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lost awards due to AI-generated placeholder textures.
Embark Studios, developer of Arc Raiders, is also replacing AI-generated material in its game following player feedback.
