Activision admits to using generative AI for Call of Duty

When Activision Blizzard uploaded the Season 01 Reloaded update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (available on Amazon) in early December 2024, some fans were slightly upset by a new loading screen featuring “Necroclaus”, a zombified version of Santa Claus sporting what seems to be six fingers on a decaying hand, alongside presents with curiously placed ribbons. And if that’s not enough, the “Gobblegum Mania” loading screen shows another six-finger hand in a glove, holding several gumballs, with the thumb completely missing. Visual oddities were also spotted on a calling card from a set of paid additional content. Following these instances, fans have been calling on the publisher to disclose its use of generative artificial intelligence, especially in light of the previous dismissal of several real artists.

Valve now requires developers and publishers to disclose their use of AI-generated content on Steam

It is still unclear whether Steam’s new AI disclosure policy is related to Call of Duty or is something Valve had already been planning to integrate in its product pages, but we know it was instated in December 2024. The following remark has suddenly appeared on Call of Duty BO6’s Steam page:

The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this: Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets.

Whilst this confirms the signs and speculations regarding Call of Duty's use of AI assets, it remains to be seen whether the game will face backlash from its player base. With the introduction of the Muse AI model, developers may soon be able to go beyond loading screens and in-game goodies and create entire game levels using artificial intelligence.