Jagex pulls a RuneScape trailer after a partner broke its no-AI rule

[FluxKnight46]

Jagex has pulled the trailer for RuneScape's upcoming Dragon Slayer 2 quest after players spotted apparent AI generated artwork in it, VGC reports. The trailer debuted at RuneFest at the weekend, the same event where RuneScape 4 was announced. Players pointed to a knight with six fingers and another that appeared to be wearing modern trainers. Those are classic giveaways of AI image generation

Marketing director Alec Sween said on the RuneScape subreddit that the trailer was made by "a trusted external partner who had explicitly confirmed that GenAI would not be used". He added: "We don't use GenAI to create our games, artwork or creative assets". He apologised, admitting the sixth finger was "pretty hard to explain away." It is an unusually candid response from a games company

It is not the first time. About a week earlier, clothing brand 100 Thieves apologised for a RuneScape collaboration concept piece that also used AI. Sween said "This is the second time in quick succession", which points to a problem with Jagex's own review processes. Replying to a player, he called the situation "even more egregious and frankly even more crap"

Jagex is now overhauling its review processes and plans to commission artists from the RuneScape community for Dragon Slayer II. That is a nice gesture, and it shows how strongly gaming communities feel about AI art. It also shows how hard it is to police. Even companies with a clear policy can be caught out by partners who quietly use AI tools

Should game companies ban AI art completely? And how can they stop partners sneaking it in?

RuneScape studio pulls trailer, says a partner broke its anti-AI rule without its knowledge, and it's happened before | VGCwww.videogameschronicle.com