Battlefield 6 devs used generative AI heavily without adding Steam disclosure

There is evidence that generative AI played a major role in the development of Battlefield 6. The Fast Company business site highlighted the most innovative game companies in a recent article. According to the report, lip-sync for voice-overs and face creation benefited from the technology. It’s questionable whether this use warrants a mandatory Steam disclosure.

EA’s shooter game has already faced scrutiny for publishing suspicious DLC. In one example, it released a cosmetics pack with an oddly configured weapon. In addition, a skin with a ghastly mask showed a striking resemblance to older Call of Duty artwork. Developers removed some of these items, but never commented on their origin.

The Fast Company story found by Insider Gaming focuses on the influence of AI before the Battlefield 6 release date. Voice2Face analyzes recorded speech and generates accurate lip-synced animation. According to the article, “30% of the final animated speech was generated” using the tool.

Also aiding artists, FaceRig made modifying faces for Battlefield 6 characters less of a chore. Much of the work was a human endeavor, and the results look more polished than hastily-made artwork. Even so, players can see the products of machine learning in the retail build.

How Steam views pre-release AI use

A Steam game doesn’t necessarily need to highlight how AI shaped development. Studios can employ the technology for brainstorming concepts or boosting coding efficiency. Yet, Valve requires posting a disclosure when there is “Player-facing AI output.” Whenever developers take shortcuts in character design, some critics may object.

Increasingly, publishers flirt with the rules and fail to disclose use cases, even if they are minor. The latest controversy was with Crimson Desert, where Pearl Abyss neglected to remove placeholder AI images. One disappointed fan requested a Steam refund after 4 hours of gameplay without success.

Prior to the Battlefield 6 release date, EA insisted that no machine-generated assets would ship in the retail version. Considering the company’s massive investment in AI tools, players were skeptical. Gamers will continue to debate whether the studio kept that promise.