Crimson Desert Steam Reviews Hit by AI Art Controversy
Crimson Desert Faces Double Drama! Suspected AI Art Sparks Outrage
Potentially Impacting Both Its Image and Platform Policies
It has been less than 24 hours since its massive launch, but Pearl Abyss’s blockbuster Crimson Desert is already facing relentless drama that shows no signs of slowing down.
Previously, a large number of players have continuously reviewed and shared their experiences after downloading the game via Steam, with many echoing the sentiment that the game “doesn’t quite hit the mark” in terms of quality and overall gameplay experience.
Now, the drama has escalated even further. A massive wave of players has begun to strongly suspect that the “in-game art” was not drawn by human hands, but rather generated by AI, turning this into a massive ongoing controversy.
Evidence from Players
The starting point of this issue stems from Reddit threads and various social media platforms, where players have shared screenshots taken directly from the game. They have pointed out specific details that look “unnatural,” particularly the paintings and various signs scattered throughout the game world.
Some of these images feature very strange proportions and details that do not align with realistic anatomical structures—such as deformed fingers or visual elements that look carelessly pasted together rather than intentionally drawn.
The AI Issue is No Small Matter in the Gaming Industry
Over the past year, the use of AI in the gaming industry has been an intensely scrutinized topic. Several major companies have faced harsh questions and heavy criticism regarding the implementation of AI in their development pipelines.
Industry giants like Nintendo, Activision, and Larian Studios have all faced similar waves of negative feedback from players when AI usage was either suspected or confirmed.
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Questions Remain Unanswered by Pearl Abyss
Another major point being heavily discussed right now is Steam’s strict policy, which requires developers to explicitly disclose if Generative AI is used to create in-game content.
Currently, the Crimson Desert Steam Store page has absolutely no disclosure label regarding AI usage. This raises a critical question: if the players’ suspicions are proven true, this issue will not only damage the game’s public image but could also be a direct violation of the platform’s policy.
As of right now, Pearl Abyss has not released an official statement or clarification. While multiple media outlets have reached out for confirmation or denial, they have been met with silence.
Therefore, the situation currently remains strictly at the level of “suspicion” rather than confirmed “fact.”
