Fariha Bhatti 
Activision is under fire from fans for possibly using AI-generated artwork in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, leaving fans asking why they’re paying Activision for a game it didn’t fully make.
Black Ops 6 is a high point for the series after years of frustrating releases. The game has sold in bulk with rave reviews, with fans finding little to complain about the gameplay itself. However, keen-eyed players have noticed odd details in Black Ops 6 calling cards. Dark Ops cards have quickly grabbed player attention for their bold art, but that’s not turning out to be a good thing for Activision.
Some players looked closely enough to find rendering and oddities that hint at possible AI usage. This has fans wondering why a billion-dollar company has to effectively steal artwork for a game
Players suspect AI usage in Black Ops 6 calling cards
Some of the calling cards in Black Ops 6 show the telltale signs of AI-generated artwork.
When Activision dropped all calling card images before the game release, fans were impressed with the sheer number produced for Black Ops 6. Now, the same fans think the quantity may just stem from Activision not bothering to make original artwork.
For example, the Brutal Killer card, a player favorite, features skulls with inconsistent rendering. Some are overly detailed, while others appear incomplete. According to fans, it’s odd to see this kind of inconsistency in handmade art, especially if the piece looks finished in other areas. The woman depicted in the card also has a disjointed body, with a neck that connects directly to her right shoulder.
The same is true for other Dark Ops cards. The Hard Breakup card has strange-looking hands, a telltale sign of AI-generated artwork. The woman’s left pointer finger seems to connect to her middle finger. Meanwhile, her right hand doesn’t have fingers, except for one enormous pinky.
Fans suspect the art is either rushed or that Activision may have used AI in a game priced between $70 and $100. For this cost, they expect original content.
Making matters worse, the lack of transparency about potential AI usage on the Steam page has left many upset.
In 2023, Steam cracked down on games with AI-generated content but softened its stance over time. For example, The Finals released in 2023, features AI-generated voice commentary that developers disclosed in the Steam description. While some players say they don’t mind if AI is used in certain areas, the omission feels dishonest.
It’s possible Activision hasn’t mentioned AI use because it didn’t use it. The other possibilities are that it erroneously didn’t disclose this or that Valve covered this up.
For now, there’s no way to confirm if AI was involved, but fans are unimpressed, regardless.
