Pearl Abyss announces a "comprehensive audit" following the discovery of AI-generated art in Crimson Desert

The team behind Crimson Desert, Pearl Abyss, is set to carry out a detailed review of its game assets after the accidental inclusion of AI-generated artwork came to light.

Reports from IGN indicate that gamers spotted artworks on Reddit that appeared to be created by AI.

In a statement, Pearl Abyss acknowledged that certain 2D visual elements were initially developed using experimental AI tools in the early stages. These elements were intended to be swapped out upon completion and review by the development team in order to meet quality and creative expectations.

The firm admitted that some AI-generated content mistakenly made it into the final version, contradicting their standards. They accepted complete responsibility for this mistake.

This oversight breached Steam’s AI content policy, as there was no notification of AI art on Crimson Desert’s Steam page until Pearl Abyss addressed the issue, which has since been corrected.

The company stated, "We should have been transparent about our use of AI. Although these tools were used predominantly during early development with plans to replace the AI assets before launch, we understand the importance of transparency. We apologize for not disclosing this information."

The statement further explained, "A full assessment of all game assets is underway, and any affected content will be updated in future patches. We are also enhancing our internal procedures to better communicate with our audience."

Released last Thursday (March 19), Crimson Desert has sparked mixed reactions. Opinions vary, as noted in a critical review, with some applauding the combat mechanics and others criticizing the story and gameplay complexity.