Developer Pearl Abyss has acknowledged using generative AI tools for early-stage 2D visual props in Crimson Desert, stating they intended to replace them before release. The studio apologised for unintentionally including some in the final version and for lacking transparency. It plans to audit assets and roll out replacements via patches.
Pearl Abyss, developer of the open-world fantasy game Crimson Desert, responded to community reports of AI-generated images in the game following its recent launch. In a statement posted on social media on March 22, 2026, the studio confirmed: 'During development, some 2D visual props were created as part of early-stage iteration using experimental AI generative tools. These assets helped us rapidly explore tone and atmosphere in the earlier phases of production.' It added that the intention was always to replace them 'with work that aligned with our quality standards and creative direction' after final review by art and development teams. However, some assets were 'unintentionally included in the final release', which the company described as not in line with internal standards. Pearl Abyss took full responsibility and apologised: 'We sincerely apologise for these oversights.' The studio also recognised the need for better disclosure: 'We also acknowledge that we should have clearly disclosed our use of AI.' In response, it is 'conducting a comprehensive audit of all in-game assets' and will replace affected content in 'upcoming patches', while reviewing internal processes for greater transparency. The Crimson Desert Steam listing has been updated to disclose the use of 'AI generated content'. The statement did not address separate claims of AI-generated translations. Crimson Desert's launch has seen mixed reports, with some technical challenges including lack of support for Intel Arc GPUs—Intel expressed disappointment and offered assistance. This follows other recent fixes, such as for the control scheme.
