The gaming industry is no stranger to controversy. Still, this time, Activision has found itself at the center of a heated debate over its use of artificial intelligence in Call of Duty assets. What started as speculation among players has now been confirmed—Activision is officially using generative AI to create in-game assets, and fans are unhappy about it.
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How Players Spotted AI-Generated Assets
Call of Duty players had been pointing out odd design flaws in-game skins and promotional artwork for months. Some noticed characters with extra fingers, unnatural facial features, and distorted textures—classic signs of AI-generated images. The biggest red flag came from a “zombified Santa” skin, which appeared eerily similar to AI-generated art commonly found online.
These suspicions ignited discussions across gaming forums, with many accusing Activision of cutting corners by using AI instead of relying on human artists. While AI-generated content has been a growing concern in the gaming industry, no major studio has openly admitted to using it.
Steam’s Policy Change Forces Activision to Come Clean
The confirmation came not from Activision voluntarily admitting its AI use but rather from a policy change on Steam. In response to growing concerns about AI-generated content, Valve recently updated its rules, requiring developers to disclose when AI is used in-game assets.
This new policy pushed Activision to update the Steam page for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, where it explicitly states:
“Our team uses generative AI tools in some of our creative processes.”
For many players, this was the smoking gun they had been waiting for. It confirmed that AI had played a role in asset creation for Call of Duty, validating the concerns swirling online for months.
The Backlash: Fans Call Out “AI Slop” in AAA Games
Once the AI admission became public, the Call of Duty community erupted in backlash. Many players criticized Activision for prioritizing AI-generated content over handcrafted assets, especially given the company’s vast resources and massive development teams.
The biggest concern among fans is the potential decline in quality. While AI can generate images quickly, it often produces low-quality or awkward-looking results that require heavy manual editing. Players worry that AI tools might replace talented artists, leading to uninspired and repetitive designs.
Players on social media and gaming forums labeled AI-created content as “AI slop,” a term used to describe generic, low-effort assets generated by artificial intelligence.
Activision’s AI Use Isn’t New – But This Feels Different
Activision is no stranger to AI. In 2023, the company introduced an AI-powered moderation system to detect toxic behavior in voice chat. While this AI tool was met with mixed reactions, many agreed it served a functional purpose in reducing in-game harassment.
However, using AI to generate assets—especially in a franchise as big as Call of Duty—is an entirely different issue. Fans see this as a direct threat to artists and game developers, with concerns that AI might eventually replace human talent altogether.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Gaming?
Activision’s AI admission raises larger questions about the future of game development. Will other companies follow if one of the biggest gaming studios uses AI for assets? Could AI-generated content become the norm in AAA games?
While some argue that AI could streamline development and reduce costs, others worry that it will result in a loss of artistic integrity. With Steam now requiring AI disclosures, transparency will be key—but whether players accept AI-assisted game development remains to be seen.
For now, Call of Duty fans aren’t convinced. The outrage over AI-generated content continues, and the debate over AI’s place in gaming is only getting started.