According to Kotaku, the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 incorporates a substantial portion of artwork produced by artificial intelligence. This is most evident in the more than 680 Calling Cards, which serve as unlockable background images obtained via gameplay accomplishments or direct buys, and display visuals reminiscent of low-quality animated effects similar to those from ChatGPT.
Although it's challenging to definitively prove that illustrations drawing from Studio Ghibli aesthetics represent clear evidence of AI involvement, the observed Calling Cards exhibit a level of roughness unexpected in a premium title priced at $70. Activision has acknowledged in a note on the Black Ops 7 Steam listing that its developers employed generative AI technologies to assist in crafting certain elements within the game, a detail that is likely to fuel ongoing speculation.
When responding to Kotaku's inquiries, Activision refrained from rejecting the notion, instead describing AI as part of a broader set of digital resources aimed at enhancing team capabilities and delivering superior gameplay for users. Incorporating AI-produced visuals, potentially refined by human artists, may have reduced costs for Activision and Treyarch during production. Alternatively, the unusual appearance of these rewards could stem from expedited efforts to meet the release schedule.
As the initial entry in the Call of Duty series to debut on Xbox Game Pass, Black Ops 7 aligns with Microsoft's strategy to support the service's latest fee increase. The inclusion of AI-generated components could temper enthusiasm among some gamers, though concerns surrounding the single-player mode appear more significant, as it demands an online connection even when using AI companions and prohibits pausing, owing to its structure around a four-member team setup.