11 Bit Studios, the developer behind the sci-fi game The Alters, has responded to player accusations regarding the use of generative AI for text and translations within the game. The studio has promised updates to replace AI-generated content with handcrafted assets, following a wave of criticism from its fanbase.
Last week, players noticed what appeared to be AI-generated text within the game, specifically on a screen in the Command Center. The text included a line suggesting it was a direct output from an AI prompt, raising questions about the authenticity of the game’s content. While the English version of the game left it at that, players of other language versions reported similar AI-generated cues, indicating that AI had been used for localization as well.
In response, 11 Bit Studios issued a statement clarifying that the AI-generated text was intended as a placeholder and was mistakenly included in the final release. The studio emphasized that no other instances of AI-generated content were present in the game. Regarding localization, the studio admitted to using AI translations for a few cutscenes added late in development, which required urgent translation.
Studio’s Commitment to Quality and Transparency
11 Bit Studios’ statement explained their approach to using AI during development, highlighting that AI-generated assets were used strictly as temporary work-in-progress elements. The studio underscored its commitment to meaningful, handcrafted storytelling, which it considers a cornerstone of its game design philosophy.
“AI-generated assets were used strictly as temporary WIPs during the development process and in a very limited manner. Our team has always prioritized meaningful, handcrafted storytelling as one of the foundations of our game.”
The studio further explained that the AI-generated text was meant as a background texture placeholder. This oversight led to its inclusion in the final game, but the studio has since conducted a review to ensure it was an isolated incident. A screenshot showing the text’s location in the game has been shared for transparency.
Localization Challenges and AI’s Role
11 Bit Studios also addressed the use of AI in localization. A few licensed movies within the game required last-minute translations due to time constraints, leading to the decision to use AI for these translations. The studio acknowledged this as a mistake and has begun updating these translations with professional services.
“To give you a better understanding of what a small part of the overall scope of the game’s narrative layer they are, those few external movies are approximately 10k words out of 3.4 million across all languages in the game, or just 0.3% of the overall text.”
The studio’s decision to use AI was driven by the desire to avoid releasing untranslated dialogues, which they believed would negatively impact non-English speaking players. In hindsight, they recognized this as the wrong decision and committed to greater transparency in the future.
Broader Implications and Industry Context
The use of generative AI in game development has sparked significant debate across the industry. 11 Bit Studios is not alone in facing scrutiny; other developers like Frontier Developments and Activision have also faced backlash for similar practices. The evolving role of AI presents both challenges and opportunities, and studios are grappling with how to integrate these tools responsibly.
Despite the controversy, The Alters has been well-received, earning an 8/10 rating in reviews for its atmospheric storytelling and engaging gameplay. The incident underscores the importance of transparency and the need for developers to clearly communicate their use of AI technologies.
As 11 Bit Studios moves forward with its updates, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how the studio addresses these concerns and adapts its development processes. The situation highlights the broader industry trend of balancing innovation with authenticity, a challenge that many developers will face as AI continues to evolve.
