The release of a trailer for Level-5’s latest project, Holy Horror Mansion, has ignited controversy as fans suspect AI-generated artwork may have been used, prompting a lively debate within the gaming community.
Level-5’s New Project Sparks Debate Over Possible AI-Generated Content in Trailer
Earlier this week, Level-5, a renowned Japanese video game developer, unveiled a trailer for their latest project, Holy Horror Mansion. The new venture is being hailed as an ambitious cross-media project and has been likened to their highly successful Yo-Kai Watch franchise. However, the release of the trailer has spurred controversy among fans due to suspicions that some of the artwork featured might have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
The main point of contention stems from several backgrounds in the trailer that exhibit inconsistencies commonly associated with AI-generated art. This speculation gained traction following an old interview Level-5 had with Automaton Media, where the company disclosed their experimentation with AI generation for game development purposes.
Adding fuel to the fire, various members of the gaming community have taken to social media to voice their concerns and frustrations. A notable tweet by user @purrplecolored criticised the potential use of AI, expressing disappointment in the developer’s approach to creating what is being billed as a successor to Yo-Kai Watch. The tweet featured a scrutinised look at the trailer, suggesting that the backgrounds were either partially or wholly generated by AI.
“On further inspection, the trailer for Holy Horror Mansion appears to feature backgrounds that were either partially or entirely generated using AI. I am incredibly disappointed in Level-5, this is not how you create a successor to Yo-kai Watch,” wrote @purrplecolored.
The use of AI in game development is a contentious issue among players and artists. Opponents argue that it represents unnecessary cost-cutting measures that undermine the work of human artists. Others, however, take a more lenient view, seeing AI-generated content as acceptable when used judiciously and not in the final product.
One such perspective was provided by user @YoukaiNewsEN: “I tolerated the AI use during their development as it was promised to only be used as referential material, but creating an entire trailer with minimal original assets padded out with AI-generated content without disclosing this to viewers is some of the scummiest behaviour imaginable.”
On the other hand, there are those who believe that the reaction might be premature. User @Rainbonanana suggested that worries could be alleviated by understanding Level-5’s approach: “I think a lot of people worried about the use of AI in #HolyHorrorMansion should ease down a bit considering how Level 5 is going about using it. To summarise it simply, AI will probably NOT be in the final game.”
As of now, Level-5 has not officially commented on whether AI-generated artwork was utilised in the Holy Horror Mansion trailer. This has left the community eagerly awaiting further clarification from the developer.
While the discourse surrounding Holy Horror Mansion’s trailer continues to unfold, it highlights the broader debate about the place of AI in creative industries. The gaming community remains divided, with opinions varying on the ethical and practical implications of AI in game development.
Further updates are anticipated as the situation develops, and Level-5’s response will likely play a crucial role in shaping public opinion on this emerging issue.
Source: Noah Wire Services
