Summary
The team behindARK: Survival Evolved’s upcomingAquaticaDLC claims it did not know about the controversial AI-generated trailer.Aquatica’s teaser came as a surprise to many fans, not only because they weren’t expecting a DLC reveal, but also because the video appeared to use AI-generated assets. Naturally, it didn’t take long for theArk: Survival Evolvedexpansion to face significant backlash because of it.
Some fans said theuse of AI in theARK: Aquaticatrailer was tone-deafamid growing controversy around AI in gaming. Others pointed out how the apparent AI content significantly outweighed actual in-game footage, casting doubt over the DLC’s current state of development or quality. Disappointed fans may have some relief, though, as the dev team apparently wasn’t even aware of the trailer before it came out.
Matt Kohl, Lead Developer ofAquaticastudio Snail Colorado,spoke about the trailer with Pocket Tactics, saying the devs didn’t know the marketing team was using AI to make a trailer for the DLC. According to Kohl, marketers generated the AI footage using still images from the game. He went on to clarify that Snail Games does not use any generative AI tools in development, so the trailer’s use of the technology doesn’t reflect the actual product. It should come as a relief to fans that one of thesurvival games with the most unique biomesachieves those environments without controversial shortcuts.
ARK: Aquatica Team Assures Fans That Devs Don’t Use AI in Development
AI in gaming continues to be a contentious topic. Some studios have not shied away from using the technology, but fans have largely taken a stand against it, citing laziness and its impact on developer and artist jobs.Baldur’s Gate 3actor Samantha Béart has said thatCEOs use AI to save moneybut risk their own reputation in doing so. Given the backlash against theARK: Aquaticatrailer, it seems like Béart may be onto something with that statement.
While Snail Games may not actually use any generative AI in development, other companies have embraced the technology. In February, Activision confirmedit used AI for someCall of Dutyassetswhen Steam began requiring devs to disclose their use of AI in game descriptions. Sony has begun testing AI chatbot versions of some of its characters, too, drawing criticism from fans and actors alike.
In light of these responses, it’s unclear how AI in gaming will go from here. Some studios and many gamers have stood firmly against it, while others are ambivalent and some larger companies seem insistent on using the technology to streamline development.
