TLDR: 11 Bit Studios, developer of ‘The Alters’, has responded to community backlash regarding the undisclosed use of AI-generated content in their recently launched sci-fi survival game. The studio confirmed that AI was used for a graphic asset’s placeholder text, which was accidentally left in the final game, and for last-minute translations of in-game movies due to time constraints. They acknowledged the lack of transparency and are working on fixes.
Warsaw, Poland – 11 Bit Studios, the acclaimed developer behind ‘Frostpunk’ and ‘This War of Mine’, has found itself at the center of a controversy following the launch of its latest title, ‘The Alters’, on June 13th. Players quickly discovered instances of undisclosed AI-generated content within the game, leading to significant community backlash and accusations of a lack of transparency.
The controversy ignited when players reported finding AI-generated text, including what appeared to be AI prompt responses, embedded within graphic assets. One notable example cited was placeholder text that read, ‘Sure, here’s a revised version focusing purely on scientific and astronomical data.’ Further investigation by the community revealed that certain ‘last-minute movies’ viewable in the game’s social area also featured AI-translated subtitles, with one Brazilian Portuguese example showing ‘Of course! The text translated for Brazilian Portuguese is:…’ as part of the localization.
In response to the growing allegations, 11 Bit Studios issued a statement on social media, clarifying their position. The studio admitted that ‘AI-generated assets were used strictly as temporary WIPs during the development process and in a very limited manner.’ Regarding the graphic asset, they explained that ‘AI-generated text for a graphic asset, which was meant as a piece of background texture, was used by one of our graphical designers as a placeholder.’ This asset, they stated, was never intended for the final release and was mistakenly left in the game. The studio has conducted an internal review and confirmed this was an isolated case, with the asset currently being updated.
The use of AI for translations was attributed to ‘extreme time constraints’ during the final stages of development. 11 Bit Studios stated that a ‘few licensed movies’ required ‘last-minute’ translations, accounting for approximately 10,000 words out of the game’s total 3.4 million words across all languages, or ‘just 0.3 percent’ of in-game text. Due to these constraints, they opted to use AI for these specific videos instead of their usual translation partners.
A significant point of contention for players was the absence of any AI disclosure on ‘The Alters’ Steam page, a requirement mandated by Valve for games utilizing AI-generated content. 11 Bit Studios acknowledged this oversight, stating, ‘We should have simply let you know.’ They admitted that they ‘should have been more transparent’ from the outset.
The studio reaffirmed its core philosophy, emphasizing that their ‘team has always prioritized meaningful, handcrafted storytelling as one of the foundations of our game.’ They also stated their commitment to adapting internal processes as AI tools evolve and maintaining transparency in their game development. While the game initially received praise, the controversy has reportedly led to a dip in player numbers, with some reports indicating a 40% drop, though the exact impact attributable solely to the AI issue remains difficult to gauge.
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11 Bit Studios has promised to address the identified AI content through upcoming hotfixes, replacing the placeholder text and re-translating the affected movie subtitles with human localization partners. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and debates within the gaming industry regarding the ethical and transparent use of artificial intelligence in creative processes.
