Alters Dev Responds to AI Use Allegations
▼ Summary
– Players discovered AI-generated content in The Alters, including chatbot prompts in the game’s text and subtitles, sparking controversy.
– Screenshots shared on social media revealed unedited AI prompts, such as translation requests and scientific data revisions, violating Steam’s AI disclosure policy.
– 11 Bit Studios admitted to using AI for last-minute translations in a late-added game section, citing time constraints as the reason.
– The studio acknowledged the mistake, stating they should have informed players and are now fixing the AI-generated content in a post-launch update.
– Despite the admission, The Alters’ Steam page still lacks the required AI disclosure, raising further concerns about transparency.
The controversy surrounding AI-generated content in The Alters has sparked heated discussions among players and industry observers alike. Developer 11 Bit Studios recently addressed allegations that portions of the game contained unedited AI-generated text, prompting questions about transparency and ethical development practices.
Players first noticed irregularities shortly after the game’s mid-June release, sharing screenshots that revealed telltale signs of AI involvement. One example showed an in-game data screen displaying what appeared to be an unedited chatbot response: “Sure, here’s a revised version focusing purely on scientific and astronomical data.” Another instance included visible translation prompts in subtitles, with one line reading as though an AI had been instructed to convert text into Brazilian Portuguese.
Further investigation revealed similar issues in other language localizations. Handong Ryu, who handled much of the Korean translation, confirmed that certain sections showed clear signs of being processed through a large language model without proper review. Ryu emphasized that these segments fell outside their oversight, raising concerns about quality control during development.
In response, 11 Bit Studios issued a statement via Bluesky, acknowledging the oversight and explaining the circumstances. According to the studio, AI was used as a temporary solution for last-minute translations tied to licensed films featured in the game. These additions were made late in development, and with tight deadlines looming, the team opted for AI-generated translations rather than delaying the release or excluding non-English speakers.
“We recognize this was a mistake,” the statement read. “While our intention was to ensure accessibility, we should have been transparent about the process and prioritized manual review.” The developer confirmed plans to replace the AI-generated content in an upcoming patch.
Despite this admission, The Alters’ Steam page still lacks the mandatory AI disclosure required by Valve, leaving some players questioning whether the issue extends beyond localized text. The situation highlights growing industry tensions around AI integration, particularly when shortcuts risk compromising quality or misleading consumers.
11 Bit Studios’ handling of the backlash, owning the error while committing to corrections, may help rebuild trust, but the incident serves as a cautionary tale for developers navigating the complexities of AI-assisted production. Players now await the promised fixes, hoping for a resolution that aligns with the studio’s reputation for thoughtful, polished experiences.
(Source: GameSpot)
