The Alters Development Team Acknowledges Unintentional Inclusion of GenAI Assets in Game, While Some Uses Were Deliberate

The Alters Development Team Acknowledges Unintentional Inclusion of GenAI Assets in Game, While Some Uses Were Deliberate

11 Bit Studios Addresses Generative AI Use in The Alters

Developer 11 Bit Studios has responded to recent allegations regarding the employment of generative AI technology in the creation of their game, The Alters. Although they acknowledged utilizing GenAI technology during development, they clarified that certain instances were never intended for the final product, while others were decisions driven by “time constraints.”

Critical Reception and Emerging Controversy

Since its launch earlier this month, The Alters has garnered significant acclaim, currently boasting a score of 84 on Metacritic. Both critics and players have lauded its intricate narrative, which explores various versions of a singular character. However, this past weekend the game was thrust into controversy when players uncovered what seemed to confirm the use of generative AI technology in its design, raising concerns about transparency from the developers.

Localization Challenges Raise Eyebrows

Players have particularly criticized 11 Bit Studios’ choice to employ GenAI for localization tasks, citing inadequate translations in languages such as Portuguese, Russian, and German. The crux of the dissatisfaction stems from the studio’s failure to disclose this use of AI technology, leading to a sense of mistrust among the community.

Steam’s Disclosure Guidelines Highlight Concerns

According to Valve’s updated guidelines for Steam, developers are required to inform players if generative AI was utilized to produce any aspects of a game. As of this writing, there has been no mention of such disclosure on The Alters’ Steam page, further fueling player unrest.

Studio’s Official Response and Clarifications

In a detailed statement shared on the official X account for The Alters, 11 Bit Studios addressed player concerns. They stated that certain examples cited by the community were not meant for the final version of the game. They also provided a visual reference illustrating how minor the AI-generated text is within the overall game design, emphasizing that it was an isolated oversight born from development errors.

“AI-generated assets were used strictly as temporary WIPs during the development process and in a very limited manner. Our team has always prioritized meaningful, handcrafted storytelling as one of the foundations of our game.”

They elaborated, mentioning that an AI-generated text utilized for a graphic asset was intended as a placeholder and was inadvertently included in the final release due to internal mistakes. The studio assured the public that they are rectifying this issue.

Intentional Decisions Amid Time Constraints

Furthermore, 11 Bit Studios admitted that some choices, like relying on GenAI for localization, stemmed from time pressures faced during development, labeling those decisions as “the wrong call.”The studio remains committed to addressing the translation issues, indicating plans to issue a hotfix that incorporates professional translation services post-launch.

“In hindsight, we acknowledge this was the wrong call. Even more so, no matter what we decided, we should have simply let you know.”

The Broader Context of Generative AI in Gaming

The use of generative AI technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in game development, with many titles incorporating AI elements either as part of the creative process or within the final product. As advancements continue to evolve, studios like 11 Bit must navigate the complex landscape of innovation while maintaining transparency with players.

Looking Ahead: Potential Implications for 11 Bit Studios

As the dust settles on this controversy, the industry will keenly observe how Steam responds to these developments, particularly with respect to enforcement of its GenAI disclosure policies. The repercussions for developers who fail to adhere to these guidelines could lead to significant changes in how games are marketed and developed in the future.

For more insights and details, check out the original article here.

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