Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss recently addressed the game's underwhelming visuals on PlayStation 5 with an easy fix. Unfortunately, the graphics issues players are running into now aren't so easily fixed, as they're the result of generative AI, something Pearl Abyss confirmed in a recent apology posted to X.
"During development, some 2D visual props were created as part of early-stage iteration using experimental AI generative tools," the game's developer shared. "These assets helped us rapidly explore tone and atmosphere in the earlier phases of production. However, our intention has always been for any such assets to be replaced, following final work and review by our art and development teams, with work that aligned with our quality standards and creative direction."
Pearl Abyss noted that "some of these assets were unintentionally included in the final release" of Crimson Desert, which certainly explains the prevalence of horses with too many limbs and humans with warped faces.
"This is not in line with our internal standards, and we take full responsibility for it," the studio stated.
Pearl Abyss also noted that it should have been more forthcoming about its AI use, especially given how vocal marketing director Will Powers has been about the studio's decision to only feature characters voiced by real humans.
"We should have clearly disclosed our use of AI," the studio said. "While these tools were primarily used during early production, with the expectation that these assets would be replaced prior to release, we recognize that this does not excuse the lack of transparency. We sincerely apologize for these oversights."
Pearl Abyss says it's currently "conducting a comprehensive audit of all in-game assets" and is "taking steps to replace any affected content," with plans for updated assets to be implemented via future patches. The studio is also changing up internal workflow to try and make sure no more AI art slips through the cracks in the future.
"We are reviewing and strengthening our internal processes to ensure greater transparency and consistency in how we communicate with players moving forward," the studio said.
An AI use disclosure section has been added to Crimson Desert's Steam page to reflect the game's use of AI assets, and currently reads, "Generative AI technology is used in a supplementary capacity during the creation of some 2D prop assets. Any such assets are replaced through our production pipeline by our art and development teams, ensuring they meet our quality standards and creative direction."
But it's probably a good thing Pearl Abyss is conducting a full audit of in-game assets, as some players suspect that generative AI may have been used for more than just in-game art. Take for instance the game's silver coins, which appear to have different thicknesses, different designs, and come in a drawstring bag that defies physics.
The Crimson Desert controversy is eerily similar to the controversy that erupted when it was revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 featured AI-generated art. Like Pearl Abyss, developer Sandfall Interactive claimed that these were "temporary placeholder textures" that were meant to be replaced, but slipped through the cracks during the QA process. As a result, Clair Obscur was stripped of the Indie Game of the Year and Debut Game awards it won at the The Indie Game Awards in 2025.
Source
"During development, some 2D visual props were created as part of early-stage iteration using experimental AI generative tools," the game's developer shared. "These assets helped us rapidly explore tone and atmosphere in the earlier phases of production. However, our intention has always been for any such assets to be replaced, following final work and review by our art and development teams, with work that aligned with our quality standards and creative direction."
Pearl Abyss noted that "some of these assets were unintentionally included in the final release" of Crimson Desert, which certainly explains the prevalence of horses with too many limbs and humans with warped faces.
"This is not in line with our internal standards, and we take full responsibility for it," the studio stated.
Pearl Abyss also noted that it should have been more forthcoming about its AI use, especially given how vocal marketing director Will Powers has been about the studio's decision to only feature characters voiced by real humans.
"We should have clearly disclosed our use of AI," the studio said. "While these tools were primarily used during early production, with the expectation that these assets would be replaced prior to release, we recognize that this does not excuse the lack of transparency. We sincerely apologize for these oversights."
Pearl Abyss says it's currently "conducting a comprehensive audit of all in-game assets" and is "taking steps to replace any affected content," with plans for updated assets to be implemented via future patches. The studio is also changing up internal workflow to try and make sure no more AI art slips through the cracks in the future.
"We are reviewing and strengthening our internal processes to ensure greater transparency and consistency in how we communicate with players moving forward," the studio said.
An AI use disclosure section has been added to Crimson Desert's Steam page to reflect the game's use of AI assets, and currently reads, "Generative AI technology is used in a supplementary capacity during the creation of some 2D prop assets. Any such assets are replaced through our production pipeline by our art and development teams, ensuring they meet our quality standards and creative direction."
But it's probably a good thing Pearl Abyss is conducting a full audit of in-game assets, as some players suspect that generative AI may have been used for more than just in-game art. Take for instance the game's silver coins, which appear to have different thicknesses, different designs, and come in a drawstring bag that defies physics.
The Crimson Desert controversy is eerily similar to the controversy that erupted when it was revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 featured AI-generated art. Like Pearl Abyss, developer Sandfall Interactive claimed that these were "temporary placeholder textures" that were meant to be replaced, but slipped through the cracks during the QA process. As a result, Clair Obscur was stripped of the Indie Game of the Year and Debut Game awards it won at the The Indie Game Awards in 2025.
Source