By Sagar V. Mankar 
Activision has officially confirmed that some in-game content in Call of Duty has been created using generative AI technology. This admission comes after months of player speculation and accusations about AI-generated artwork in the popular game series.
The confirmation appeared on Steam, where Activision updated the game launcher page for Call of Duty (which includes Black Ops 6, Modern Warfare 3, and Warzone) with a simple disclosure statement: “Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets.” This update follows Steam’s January 2025 policy requiring developers to disclose when AI is used in their games.
Players had been pointing out suspicious artwork in Call of Duty for months. The controversy began during the game’s “Merry Mayhem” event last December, when fans noticed a zombie Santa Claus (nicknamed “Necroclaus”) loading screen that appeared to show the character with six fingers – a common telltale sign of AI-generated imagery, as generative AI often struggles with accurately depicting human hands.
According to CharlieIntel, a popular Call of Duty news account, fans quickly identified other examples of potential AI-generated content, including another image showing a gloved hand with what looks like six fingers and no visible thumb. Players also found questionable artwork in calling cards, weapon decals, and stickers available in the game.
The use of AI in Call of Duty extends beyond just artwork. Activision’s Ricochet anti-cheat system also uses machine learning to combat cheaters.
This situation reflects the wider trend of AI integration in game development. Microsoft, which acquired Activision Blizzard for $69 billion in 2023, recently unveiled its new Muse AI tool for “gameplay ideation,” despite criticism from developers and players alike.
The copyright implications of using AI-generated content also remain unclear. According to a January 2025 policy report from the United States Copyright Office, AI-generated content—even when used to assist human creativity—may not be protected under copyright law, potentially creating legal complications for publishers using these technologies.
Despite the backlash, industry observers note that major companies like Microsoft and Activision are likely to continue investing in AI technology, viewing it as an integral part of gaming’s future development process.
For now, Activision has not provided further details on how extensively AI is used in Call of Duty, leaving players to keep searching for more signs of generative content in their favorite FPS.