Alters Dev Admits Using AI for Text and Translations, Vows Fixes
▼ Summary
– 11 Bit Studios admitted to using AI-generated text and translations in The Alters, promising to replace them with handcrafted assets.
– Players noticed AI-generated text in the game, including a misplaced AI prompt line in the Command Center and AI-assisted translations in non-English versions.
– The studio clarified that the AI text was a placeholder accidentally left in the final release, while AI translations were used for last-minute cutscenes due to time constraints.
– 11 Bit Studios acknowledged the oversight and is updating the game with professional translations, emphasizing their commitment to handcrafted storytelling.
– The controversy reflects broader industry scrutiny over AI use in games, with other studios like Frontier Developments and Activision facing similar criticism.
The developer behind The Alters has acknowledged unintentional AI-generated text and translations in the game, pledging swift fixes to replace them with professionally crafted content. Players recently noticed suspicious phrasing in the game’s command center logs, including telltale AI markers like “Sure, here’s a revised version…” followed by scientific data. This sparked broader scrutiny, revealing similar AI artifacts in localized versions, where translation prompts remained visible.
11 Bit Studios clarified that the English text was an overlooked placeholder meant for internal testing, while the translations stemmed from last-minute localization needs for minor cutscenes. The studio emphasized its commitment to handcrafted storytelling, admitting the oversight but stressing these instances represent less than 0.3% of the game’s total text. A post-launch update is already in progress to replace all AI-assisted content with human-translated alternatives.
This incident reflects growing industry tensions around generative AI in game development. While tools offer efficiency, their unmarked use often triggers backlash, as seen recently with Jurassic World Evolution 3 and Activision controversies. Unlike those cases, 11 Bit maintains no generative AI was used in core creative processes, framing these as isolated workflow missteps rather than intentional shortcuts.
Despite the controversy, The Alters has garnered praise for its atmospheric narrative and strategic gameplay, earning strong reviews for its blend of sci-fi storytelling and resource management. The developer’s transparency about rectifying the issue may help rebuild trust, though it underscores the delicate balance studios face when integrating emerging technologies under tight deadlines.
For players invested in the debate over AI’s role in gaming, this serves as a case study in accountability, demonstrating how even well-intentioned teams can stumble when navigating uncharted ethical terrain. The promised fixes will likely determine whether this becomes a footnote or a lasting mark on the game’s reputation.
(Source: IGN)
