As a long-time fan of the gaming industry and someone who has witnessed its evolution over the years, I find the recent reports of Activision using AI to create cosmetics for Call of Duty quite disheartening. I’ve always admired the creativity and hard work that goes into making these games, from the intricate designs of Operator skins to the attention-to-detail in weapon Blueprints.
In simpler terms, the opposition to AI in the creative industry has caused a standstill in Hollywood, as concerns grow that this technology may be replacing jobs that require human creativity.
During the Hollywood writers’ strike in 2023, film production came to a standstill, resulting in a surplus of halted films. In contrast, the gaming industry thrived and accelerated at an extraordinary pace, making it one of the most significant years in recent gaming history.
As a passionate gamer, I’ve noticed how the gaming industry is evolving at an astonishing pace. And guess what? AI technology has made its way into game development, much to my surprise. Although there have been concerns and backlash, recent reports suggest that Activision is now employing coding programs to generate cosmetics for Call of Duty. I can’t wait to see how this innovation impacts the gaming experience!
Activision reportedly used AI for MW3 Operator skins
Based on information from WIRED’s article, Activision introduced the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the cosmetics of Call of Duty this year, beginning with Modern Warfare 3.
Wired magazine identifies Yokai’s Wrath as the initial cosmetic collection to incorporate AI-generated elements. However, the article does not clarify if this technology was employed in producing the Operator skin or weapon design, or if it was restricted to lesser cosmetics such as calling cards and loading screens.
In December, the whole package was purchased for $15 or 1,500 CP. Meanwhile, Activision announced layoffs affecting 1,900 employees in January 2024. Wired reported that Activision had been utilizing advanced AI tools such as ChatGPT-3.5, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion.
Activision reportedly forced artists to use AI amid layoffs
Today has been extremely disappointing. Nearly half of the environment art team was let go in Overwatch 2. I’ve hired and trained some talented individuals who are now seeking new opportunities at senior and associate levels. If your teams have openings, please consider these skilled professionals.
— 💙◭ Lucas Annunziata ◮💙 (@Annunziata3D) January 25, 2024
In the latter part of the Wired article, there is a discussion about the conflict between AI and human intervention. Notably, Activision announced layoffs a month prior to the predicted introduction of AI in their games in 2023.
According to the report, a large number of 2D artists at Activision were let go during the company-wide layoffs. The surviving concept artists had to adapt and began utilizing AI technology to assist them in their tasks, a source revealed anonymously.
Activision expressed their plans to use AI in games like Guitar Hero for the first time following CEO Bobby Kotick’s commitment to this technology. In an interview with Variety, Kotick shared his belief that “with AI and other new technologies, we could develop an exceptionally engaging new version of Guitar Hero.”
There’s some uncertainty if the Yokai’s Wrath bundle is the only AI-enhanced content in Modern Warfare 3, or if multiple bundles have featured generated content as well.
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2024-07-24 16:12