11-bit Studios responds to criticism over the use of generator AI in sci-fi games, claiming that the controversial elements players have discovered are either “temporary” assets” that are not part of the final release, or are being used in “very limited ways.”
The 11-bit, which also developed acclaimed Frostpunk and this war, realized that it was the focus of controversy over the weekend after evidence of AI-generated assets was discovered at Alters, despite the studio not disclosing its use in steam, as mandated by Valve.
One image widely circulated on social media showed an in-game background display featuring a text-based “Captain's Log,” in which the giveaway-based “Captain's Log” prominently incorporates the generative AI phrases of the giveaway. However, what sparked the most criticism was the example of localization generated in tinsel AI used along with professionally translated text. For example, one of the Portuguese subtitle translations began with, “Absolutely! Here is the text translated into Brazilian Portuguese.”
The findings were not well received, especially given that 11-bit failed to disclose generative AI use, but the studio is now responding, claiming that some issues are being used incorrectly, while others are incorrect. “We have seen a wide range of accusations regarding the use of AI-generated content at Alters,” he wrote in a statement on social media.
“AI-generated assets have been used strictly for a while. [work-in progress elements] During the development process, in a very limited way, “Our team has always prioritized meaningful, handmade storytelling as one of the foundations of our game.”
We have seen a wide range of accusations regarding the use of AI-generated content in Alters, but we feel it is important to clarify our approach and provide more context.
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– 11-bit Studio | WishList Death Howl (@11bitstudios.bsky.social) June 30th, 2025, 4:31pm
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“In production, the text generated in the AI of the graphic assets was intended as a background texture, but used by one of the graphical designers as a placeholder. This was not intended to be part of the final release. The studio also shared screenshots of the controversial assets, including the Captain's log display, which were displayed in the game, adding, “I don't want to underestimate the situation, but I want to clearly show the limited impact on the game experience.”
As for these controversial translations, 11bit suggested that these were limited to “a few licensed films that Alter can see in the social field of the base.” These “externally produced” assets were created without the team being “engaged in the creative process” and “added at the final stage of development.” Therefore, we needed a “Last Mine” translation, which is said to explain “just 0.3%” of in-game text. “Due to extreme time constraints,” continued 11bit. “We chose not to involve our translation partners, and localized these videos using AI to prepare them for release.”
“It has always been our intention to involve trustworthy translation institutions after release as part of the localization hotfix,” the studio added. “We'll make sure these texts are handled with the same care and quality as the rest of the game. The process is currently underway. Please call more.
11-bit did not address the reason they chose not to disclose the use of AI-generated content on Steam despite Valve's mandatory requirements. Also, no disclosure was added since it was called. “As AI tools evolve,” he concluded. “They present new challenges and opportunities in game development. We actively adapt our internal processes to meet this reality. However, we continue to be committed to transparency about how we create games.
Of course, studios faced with criticism of generative AI use are not 11-bit. Last week, Jurassic World Evolution 3 Studio Frontier Developments announced that it would remove the game's AI-generated scientist avatar art in response to “early feedback,” but Activision and Microsoft have been criticized for generating playable demos that unveil AI-generated Call of Duty Promotion Art and playable demos for Ai-Generated, respectively. It is clear that controversy surrounding AI and technology is changing game development forever.
