In a scenario that sounds like it was concocted by AI, Activision’s social media accounts yesterday were promoting a trio of games with AI-generated artwork that didn’t even exist. Users across Instagram and Facebook had seen some images for new installments of Guitar Hero, Crash Bandicoot, and Call of Duty that not only had hideous artwork but would then redirect you to a mockup of a mobile store that would display the message, “This isn’t a real game, but could be someday!” The end goal isn’t exactly clear, though it likely has to do with data collection considering the fake mobile store asks you to fill out a survey.
What makes this especially troubling is not just the growing concerns around AI in creative fields, but that Activision recently disclosed on the Steam store page for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 that it had utilized AI artwork in the game. As spotted by COD fansite Charlie Intel, the digital listing includes a disclosure about AI-generated content without specifying what that entails. Many players suspected this was the case after a rather ridiculous zombie loading screen showcased an undead Santa with six fingers on one hand.
Activision plans to develop two new Call of Duty titles for mobile platform:
🔸 Call of Duty: Zombie Defender
🔸 Call of Duty: SniperAI-generated advertisements are being used to gauge player interests. If there is enough interest, the project will go into development. These… pic.twitter.com/PWA1KjLd4h
— Leakers On Duty (@LeakersOnDuty) March 3, 2025
If you think this is all harmless, let’s not forget that Activision Blizzard is owned by Microsoft, a company valued at $2.87 trillion. Call of Duty is also one of the most popular games in the world and Black Ops 6, in particular, was the highest-selling game of 2024. There is no reason why Microsoft couldn’t afford to pay an artist to do mock-up renders of these games. There is also no reason to take beloved franchises and dangle them in front of fans who are desperate for a new installment only to then hock AI nonsense and collect data.
If a company as big and as successful as Activision is relying on AI, that spells very bad things for the future of triple-A gaming. Instead of getting interesting and creative games made from real humans, Activision (and, by extension, Microsoft) is content to cheap out and burn down some rainforests in the process. I would hold any future Activision release in suspicion, including the upcoming Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4.
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Written by Peter Glagowski
Peter has been a freelance gaming and film critic for over seven years. His passion for Nintendo is only matched by the size of his collection.
