Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has only recently hit the market, but it’s already facing strong criticism from players. The issue isn’t the gameplay, the story, or even the weapons. Instead, fans are calling out what they believe is a major overuse of AI-generated art throughout the game. Many players say the art looks rushed, inconsistent, and below the standards they expect from such a huge franchise.
The controversy began when players on gaming forums and social media started sharing screenshots of items such as calling cards, cosmetic skins, and loading screens. These images, according to fans, show signs of being produced by AI programs, like odd details, mismatched styles, or mistakes that human artists would normally catch. As more players posted comp
Activision Confirms AI Is Used in Development
What made the situation worse for some fans was the fact that Activision, the publisher behind Call of Duty, had already admitted earlier in the year that it uses generative-AI tools as part of its development process. On the game’s Steam page, the company added a note explaining that some assets were created with the help of AI. However, Activision did not say how much art was produced this way or how carefully the studio checks AI-assisted work before putting it into the final game.
The main studios behind Black Ops 7, Treyarch and Raven Software, have tried to reassure fans by saying that human artists still lead and approve all creative work. Even so, many players remain frustrated.
Critics Say the Art Quality Has Dropped
Players who are unhappy with the shift argue that some of the art in the game looks unfinished or noticeably different from traditional Call of Duty designs. They say that if developers rely too heavily on AI, the overall quality of the visuals could decline, especially in a game that costs full price.
Some fans are also worried about the larger impact on human artists in the industry. They fear that studios might replace or reduce art teams by using AI tools to save time or money. To them, using AI in a major franchise like Call of Duty sends the message that original human-made art is less important than it once was.
Supporters Defend AI as an Industry Standard
However, not everyone agrees with the backlash. Supporters of the studios’ approach argue that AI tools have become common across nearly every major game developer. They say that using AI can make it easier to produce the huge number of assets a modern game needs. With constant updates, seasonal content, and multiplayer additions, developers must create large amounts of artwork quickly. Fans who support the use of AI believe that these tools help speed up production without having a major effect on gameplay.
Many players also point out that, at the end of the day, most people buy Call of Duty for the action, not for the calling cards or loading screens. They argue that as long as the gameplay is solid, the use of AI in background visuals isn’t a big deal.
A Bigger Debate About the Future of Art in Games
The situation highlights a bigger conversation happening across entertainment, art, and technology: How much AI is too much? Where should companies draw the line between efficiency and artistic quality? And what happens to the artists whose jobs may be affected?
Conclusion
For now, Black Ops 7 remains a successful but controversial release. Whether the studios respond with patches, updated art, or more transparency about their process is still unknown. What is clear is that players are paying close attention, and they expect the high level of quality that the Call of Duty series has promised for years.
