Call of Duty's AI-Generated Art Divides Fans Ahead of Black Ops 7 Launch

As the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 approaches, the game has found itself at the center of a controversy surrounding its use of AI-generated art. According to a report by Kotaku, a significant portion of the game's over 680 Calling Cards – collectible backgrounds earned through in-game achievements or purchases – appear to feature art that imitates the distinctive style of ChatGPT.

While Activision has not outright confirmed the use of AI-generated art, the company has acknowledged that the development team utilized "generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets." This admission has only fueled speculation and concerns among players, who have noted that the Calling Cards seem unpolished for a $70 game.

In addition to the AI art controversy, Black Ops 7 is also facing criticism for its always-online campaign mode. The game requires an internet connection to run, even if players choose to play with in-game bots, as it was designed to be experienced in a "squad" of four. This design decision has drawn the ire of some fans, who are frustrated by the inability to pause the game during the campaign.

Despite these issues, Black Ops 7 has the distinction of being the first Call of Duty title to launch on Xbox Game Pass, a move that Microsoft hopes will help justify the recent price hike for the subscription service. However, the game's use of AI-generated assets and its always-online campaign mode may dampen some players' enthusiasm for the latest installment in the long-running franchise.