Crimson Desert developer says AI art was used and should have been replaced

In short: Players spotted artwork that looks AI-generated in Crimson Desert, and developer Pearl Abyss says some AI art was used but was meant to be replaced before release.

What happened

Players of Crimson Desert reported finding multiple paintings and decorative images in the game world that appear to be made with generative AI, meaning software that creates pictures from prompts (like asking a computer to “paint a landscape”). Fans posted examples on Reddit and in YouTube videos, and several outlets, including IGN, Kotaku, and TheGamer, picked up the story.

The complaints focus on the quality and consistency of the images. Players described the pieces as sloppy and out of place, especially in manor houses and other interior areas. Some said the images look like quick placeholder art, which is temporary content used during development as a stand-in, like using a blank sign that says “Menu coming soon.”

According to The Verge, Pearl Abyss has now acknowledged the AI art issue in a statement on X. The company said it was conducting a “comprehensive audit” to identify and replace any AI-generated assets that were not supposed to ship in the final game. As of March 21, 2026, reports did not confirm which items will be replaced first or when a patch will arrive.

Why it matters

This is becoming a practical trust issue for players. Many people buy games expecting human-made art, and stores like Steam also have rules about what developers can upload. Even if the main gameplay is unchanged, visible AI-made images in the final release can raise questions about quality control and what buyers are actually getting.

Source: The Verge AI