Home News Activision Finally Admits It Uses Generative AI for Some Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Assets After Backlash Following 'AI Slop' Zombie Santa Loading Screen

Activision Finally Admits It Uses Generative AI for Some Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Assets After Backlash Following 'AI Slop' Zombie Santa Loading Screen

Author : Mila Update : Mar 05,2025

Activision Confirms Generative AI Use in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Activision, the creator of Call of Duty, has finally acknowledged the use of generative AI in the development of Black Ops 6. This admission comes nearly three months after fans voiced concerns about the quality of certain in-game assets, particularly a controversial "Zombie Santa" loading screen.

Following the Season 1 Reloaded update, players noticed irregularities in several Black Ops 6 loading screens, calling cards, and artwork. The most prominent example was the Zombie Santa, or "Necroclaus," image, which appeared to depict the character with six fingers – a common flaw in AI-generated imagery.

Black Ops 6's 'Necroclaus' loading screen. Image credit: Activision Publishing.

Further scrutiny revealed a similarly flawed image of a gloved hand in a Zombies community event graphic, seemingly displaying six fingers without a thumb.

The central image includes a gloved hand with some odd things going on. Image credit: Activision Publishing.

These observations prompted a wider examination of Black Ops 6's in-game art, leading to further accusations of AI usage within paid bundles. A Reddit user, Shaun_LaDee, highlighted several images with irregularities suggesting AI generation.

Following pressure from fans and in light of new AI disclosure regulations on Steam, Activision added a statement to Black Ops 6's Steam page: "Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets."

This revelation follows a previous report by Wired, which revealed that Activision sold an AI-generated cosmetic for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in 2023, without disclosing its AI origins. This cosmetic was part of the Yokai's Wrath bundle, priced at 1,500 COD Points (approximately $15).

The use of AI in game development, particularly amidst recent industry layoffs, has sparked ethical and rights-related concerns. Keywords Studios' failed experiment in creating an entirely AI-generated game underscores the limitations of current AI technology in replacing human artistic talent. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities surrounding AI's role in the gaming industry and the need for transparency regarding its use in commercially available content.