Pearl Abyss has apologised after players found what appeared to be AI-generated artwork in Crimson Desert. The studio said it should have been more transparent about the use of AI and confirmed it is now reviewing and replacing the affected in-game assets.
In a statement posted on X on March 22, 2026, the official Crimson Desert account said the team is carrying out a full audit of in-game assets. According to the statement, updated versions of the affected content will be added in future patches.
The developer said some 2D visual props were created during early development using experimental AI-generated tools. It explained that these assets were used to help explore the game’s tone and atmosphere in earlier production stages. Pearl Abyss added that the intention had always been to replace those materials after final work and review by the art and development teams.
The studio also admitted it should have clearly disclosed its use of AI. It said it is now reviewing and improving its internal processes to provide better transparency and more consistent communication with players.
The issue gained attention shortly after Crimson Desert launched, when players began sharing examples of paintings in the game that they believed looked AI-generated. Those discoveries led to criticism from players, especially because the game has been promoted for its high visual quality and detailed presentation.
The developer’s statement confirms that AI-generated assets were used during development, at least for some 2D visual props, and that the company is now working to remove and replace them.
This is not the first recent issue the developer has addressed since launch. A few days earlier, Pearl Abyss also said it was preparing a patch in response to complaints about the game’s controls.