Atlantis developer’s legacy Crystal Dynamics explains how AI was used in development

After sparking controversy last week, Crystal Dynamics has clarified how its generative AI was actually used. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis‘Development. In an interview with Polygon, Crystal Dynamics Experience Director Jeff Adams explained that this technology was specifically used to create test assets.

Crystal Dynamics last Thursday put to rest concerns about the role of generative AI in game development. Legacy of AtlantisRelease date revealed at Summer Game Fest. Observers noticed an AI disclosure posted on the game’s Steam page. The memo stated that generative AI was used for “ideation generation,” leaving a lot of room for interpretation. Adams elaborated further on what exactly that means to Polygon.

“At Crystal Dynamics, we see AI as a tool to help teams get to the right answers faster,” Adams told Polygon. “At early levels of development, you might have an idea for an in-game object, but you might not know if you want a developer to build it over time. What we can do is generate AI It’s about visualizing it in the world using a tool. From there, the team can envision and build it. Ultimately, the final product will be created entirely by humans. We want to make it as easy as possible for the team to create a quality experience.”

Judging from previous examples of studios disclosing how they use AI, Crystal Dynamics’ explanation is unlikely to appease the technology’s critics. Prominent developers like Larian Studios and Sandfall Interactive have recently been playing with fire by admitting that generative AI was used in the creation of their projects, garnering attention on social media.

However, that doesn’t stop developers from being vocal about the use of this technology. Generative AI was a recurring theme at and around Summer Game Fest this year. Separately from Crystal Dynamics, Sega came under fire for confirming that AI was used in the creation Crazy Taxi: World Tour. Square Enix sparks suspicion after sharing cover art Kingdom Hearts Collection I-III Fans theorized that it was generated by AI. The technology also had a presence at Summer Game Fest’s in-person event with press and creators. seedan upcoming MMO touting the use of generative AI, was playable at the show. Many studios seem to be supporting the technology for now, regardless of optics.