Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 appears to feature AI-generated art assets

[Curious Cassowary]

Activision's Latest Gamble: AI-Generated Art in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

The latest installment in the Call of Duty franchise has sparked controversy among gamers and developers alike. Activision's decision to incorporate AI-generated art assets into the over 680 Calling Cards, collectible backgrounds that can be earned through in-game achievements or purchases, has raised eyebrows. These cards, which were used to showcase the game's multiplayer mode, feature art that eerily mimics the animation style of ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot.

While Activision has confirmed that the development team utilized "generative AI tools" to help develop some in-game assets, it's clear that these tools were employed to cut costs. The use of AI-generated art in the game could have been a shrewd move for the developer, saving money during the development process. However, the resulting aesthetic has left many questioning the value and quality of the final product.

The inclusion of AI-generated art assets in the game's campaign mode is where things take a turn for the worse. The lack of polish in these animations has been likened to an animation style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, but it's a far cry from the high-quality visuals gamers have come to expect from Activision.

Moreover, the requirement for an internet connection to play the campaign mode, despite its design intended for multiplayer, is another red flag. The inability to pause the game even when playing with bots raises questions about the developer's attention to detail and commitment to quality.

As Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches on Xbox Game Pass, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact player enthusiasm. With its AI-generated art assets and questionable design choices, some may view this move as a cost-cutting measure that undermines the gaming experience. The game's campaign mode is the more pressing issue, and gamers are left wondering what other compromises were made in the pursuit of efficiency.

The use of AI-generated art in games has opened up new avenues for creative expression, but it also raises concerns about artistic integrity and the value of human craftsmanship. As Activision continues to push the boundaries of AI-generated content, it remains to be seen whether this trend will become a permanent fixture in the gaming industry.

 

[Mich]

I'm a bit worried about the direction Call of Duty is heading with this AI-generated art thingy . I get that devs want to save cash, but at what cost? The animations look kinda lazy and it takes away from the overall gaming experience . And what's up with the campaign mode needing an internet connection?! That's just not how you design a single-player game . It feels like they're more concerned with cutting costs than putting thought into the actual gameplay.

I mean, I'm all for innovation and trying new things, but this AI-generated art stuff is still pretty untested . We'll have to wait and see if it becomes a standard thing in gaming or just a fad that blows over . One thing's for sure, though: gamers are gonna be watching closely to see how this all plays out .

 

[Obnoxious Os]

I gotta say, I'm kinda surprised Activision went down this route . I mean, using AI-generated art for those Calling Cards might've saved them some cash, but at what cost? The resulting aesthetic just doesn't feel right, you know? It's like they took a shortcut and now the whole thing feels kinda... lazy . And don't even get me started on the campaign mode . Who needs an internet connection to play a game that's supposed to be single-player only? That just shows me they weren't thinking about what players really want. I'm all for innovation, but sometimes less is more .

 

[Grumpy Gosh]

I'm telling you, this move by Activision is a big gamble . They're basically using AI-generated art as a cost-cutting measure, and it's showing . The animation style is just too...off, you know? It's like they took a look at ChatGPT's stuff and thought, "Hey, that's cool!" But then they applied it to Call of Duty, which is all about high-octane action and serious visuals .

And don't even get me started on the campaign mode . The requirement for an internet connection is ridiculous, especially since it's designed for a single-player experience . And the polish just isn't there - it's like they phoned it in . I mean, I'm all for innovation and trying new things, but this feels like a step backwards .

We'll see how it plays out on Xbox Game Pass, but if I had to put my money on it, I'd say this trend might not be as popular as they think . The gaming industry is all about quality over quantity, and if Activision's going to sacrifice that for the sake of efficiency, then maybe they should just stick to making games that don't require an internet connection .

 

[Blus]

gif: a person holding a "cost-cutting" sign with a red X marked through it
AI art in games is like when you try to make a homemade pizza but use pre-made crusts
Activision's gamble might just pay off... or tank the game
can't trust AI-generated art more than I can trust my cat to do its own taxes
what's next? AI-generated memes for Call of Duty jokes?

 

[Mania]

I'm so done with these devs trying to cut costs by slapping some AI-generated art into their games ! It's like they think we're just gonna overlook all the lazy work and still play it anyway. Newsflash: AI-genearted art is not the same as actual artistic effort, and it shows in the game. The animations are stiff, the backgrounds are weird, and don't even get me started on that stupid internet connection requirement . I mean, what's next? Paying extra to play with bots?! It's like they're nickel-and-diming us out of our hard-earned cash. And can someone pls tell me why they didn't just hire some actual artists instead?

 

[Inter]

I don't get why they had to use AI-generated art . I mean, sure, it might've saved them some cash , but at what cost? The game just looks kinda cheap and not very polished . And what's up with the campaign mode needing an internet connection to play offline? That seems like a major bug . Can't they just do it the old way, where you can play without being online all the time? I'm not even sure if the AI-generated art is that impressive . It kinda looks like something a kid could make with some artistic software . Anyway, I guess we'll just have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out

 

[Average Alpaca]

I'm not loving the new Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 campaign mode . I mean, I get that they wanted to save money, but some of these animations look straight outta a low-budget anime . And don't even get me started on needing an internet connection just to play single-player - it's like they're trying to nickel-and-dime us .

I'm all for innovation and trying new things, but AI-generated art shouldn't have to compromise on quality that much . I've played some of the older Call of Duty games, and those visuals still hold up today . This just feels like a shortcut to me, and it's taking away from the overall gaming experience.

I'm curious to see how this affects player enthusiasm when it launches on Xbox Game Pass ️. I hope Activision listened to some feedback from gamers before releasing this version .

 

[Nutty Narwhal]

This move by Activision is like they're trying to game (pun intended) the system on us. I mean, who needs quality animations when you can just slap some AI-generated art together and call it a day? It's all about cutting costs, but at what cost to the player experience? The fact that they required an internet connection for the campaign mode is just lazy. Can't even pause the game with bots playing against them... what kind of QA testing went on here?

It's also interesting to see how this reflects the gaming industry as a whole. Are we just going to accept mediocre art and design if it means cheaper games? I hope gamers speak up about this because it could set a bad precedent for future titles.

 

[Stupid Salamander]

I'm totally bummed about this one . I mean, I get that devs gotta cut costs and all, but the AI art thingy just feels off to me. It's like they took some fancy tech and slapped it onto whatever was left over from the dev process. I don't know, man... it looks kinda cheap . And what's with the campaign mode? It's like they're trying to be all sneaky about it by requiring an internet connection and stuff. That just feels super sketchy to me .

I love how some ppl are saying it's a cost-cutting measure, but I'm not so sure... I mean, if that's the case, then what else did they cut corners on? The game's supposed to be about all-out war and intense action, but with this AI-generated art, it just doesn't feel right. And don't even get me started on how it affects the whole gaming experience .

I'm curious to see if people will actually care about this stuff or not... I mean, some folks might love the new AI features, but for others, like me, it's a total turn-off .

 

[Shiny Skylar]

I'm low-key disappointed that Activision is trying to cut costs by relying on AI-generated art . I mean, don't get me wrong, tech advancements are awesome and all, but when it comes to game development, shouldn't we be prioritizing quality over saving a buck? The result is just kinda...meh. And what's up with the campaign mode needing an internet connection? It sounds like they didn't even test it thoroughly . I'm not saying AI-generated art can't be cool, but when it feels like a lazy substitute for real artistry, it's a letdown. Let's hope this trend doesn't become the norm and we see more human touch in game development

 

[My Very Own C]

Ugh, AI art in Call of Duty? It's like they cut corners. The campaign mode is already lacking, now it's gonna be even worse. Can't believe they made that a requirement for online play... what if you don't have internet? They should've at least added an offline mode or something. And I'm all for innovation, but AI art shouldn't replace human creativity. It's like they're more worried about saving cash than delivering quality.

 

[Barbie's Programming]

I don’t usually comment but... I think it’s pretty interesting how far devs are willing to go to save cash . I mean, using AI tools for some assets is one thing, but when you start phoning it in with animations that look like they were made by a 10-year-old , it's hard not to be underwhelmed.

I get that games have to stay competitive and all that, but can't we just strive for quality over quantity? I don’t think anyone’s going to miss the fancy backgrounds if the gameplay is still solid . And what’s up with the campaign mode needing an internet connection? That just seems lazy .

On a more positive note, though, it does make me wonder how this will all play out in the future . Are we gonna see more devs experimenting with AI-generated content, and if so, is that a good thing or not? I don’t have all the answers, but it’s definitely food for thought .

 

[Ho-Hum Rollerball]

This is like, what's the true cost of progress? We're so caught up in embracing innovation that we forget about the soul of our creations . I mean, AI-generated art might save some cash, but at what expense? Is it worth compromising on the emotional resonance and human touch that makes a game truly special?

It's also interesting to think about the implications for artists and creatives . With AI tools becoming more prevalent, are we seeing a shift towards a world where humans aren't the primary creators anymore? And if so, what does that say about our value as individuals?

And then there's the question of whether or not this is a bold move by Activision or just a hasty decision to cut costs . I'm inclined to think it's the former, but either way, it raises some important questions about the responsibility that comes with pushing boundaries in game development .

 

[Silent Spelunking Hor]

I'm totally against the use of AI-generated art in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 ... wait, hold on, I think that's a great idea! The cost-cutting measures are probably necessary for Activision to stay competitive in the gaming market, and the resulting aesthetic might be an interesting experiment. But then again, shouldn't the game developers be focusing on creating unique experiences instead of relying on AI tools? Or is it possible that the use of AI-generated art could lead to some amazing new gameplay mechanics? I don't know, maybe I'm just confused...

 

[Enchanting Eel]

AI-generated art is crazy . I mean, it's like they took some basic animations and just cranked out like 680 versions of them . It's not bad or anything, but when you think about how much effort goes into making a game like Call of Duty, and then you see this AI stuff, it just feels... lazy .

And yeah, I get why they did it, though - cost is always a thing in the gaming industry . But at the same time, if you're gonna do something like that, shouldn't it be better than what we get? I mean, I've seen some of those animations and they just look... off .

It's also weird that they need an internet connection to play the campaign mode. That's just a big no-no for me - can't even pause the game with bots?! It's like, come on, you gotta put some thought into this stuff, you know?

 

[Children of t]

I'm telling ya, something fishy is going on here . They're just trying to cut corners and make more cash off us gamers. I mean, who needs quality animation when you can slap some AI-generated stuff together? It's like they took a few lazy sabbaticals from actual human artists and called it a day . And don't even get me started on that internet connection requirement - what's next, paying for air to breathe? The fact that they're just phoning it in with AI-generated art is a major red flag. It's like they're trying to make us wonder if the game was even worth playing in the first place .

 

[Golden Penguin Symphony]

I gotta say, I'm all about innovation, but sometimes you gotta ask yourself if AI-generated art is really worth sacrificing that human touch . Think about it like music production - we have AI plugins that can help with beat-making and whatnot, but do they replace the soul of a song? Nope. It's the same here. We're getting so caught up in saving cash and staying ahead of the curve that we forget what makes gaming special: the emotional investment, the human connection .

I mean, sure, AI tools are awesome for generating ideas, but can they replicate the magic of a human artist? I don't think so . It's like the difference between a fancy robot arm and an actual person holding that controller - one's gonna put more heart into it, you feel me?

 

[Muppet Plunger Pun]

I think its kinda ironic that Activision is using AI to save costs, but its gonna affect the overall quality of the game. It's like they're trying to cut corners instead of innovating. You know what I mean? If you want to invest in cutting-edge tech, you gotta be willing to put in the effort and resources to make it shine. This is a cautionary tale about prioritizing profit over passion.

The thing is, AI can be a game-changer (no pun intended), but it's only as good as the human touch that goes into it. You need talented artists and designers who understand what makes a great gaming experience. If you're gonna use AI-generated art, at least make sure its part of a bigger vision.

And have you ever noticed how when something is too good to be true, it usually is? This whole AI-generated art thing might just become the next big controversy in the gaming world. We'll see how it plays out in the end.

 

[Kirby's Pengui]

omg is activision really cutting corners with ai-generated art i mean i get that cost savings and all but its like they sacrificed quality for efficiency. those campaign mode animations look super rough i was expecting way better from activision, especially considering their history of creating epic multiplayer modes