The Controversy Over AI in The Alters

11 Bit Studios has found itself under fire from players following the undisclosed use of artificial intelligence in their latest game, The Alters. This anticipated release, from the creators of the critically acclaimed Frostpunk and This War of Mine, offers a captivating twist on a science fiction survival narrative. However, the excitement quickly turned to confusion as players stumbled upon in-game text that appeared to be generated by AI.

What Went Wrong?

The game's listing on Steam mandates disclosure regarding AI-generated content, yet The Alters failed to mention such features. In response to the uproar, 11 Bit Studios issued an extensive statement to clarify the situation.

A Placeholder Mishap

One notable issue involved AI-generated text appearing in a graphic asset. The studio explained that this particular asset was a placeholder created during development and was never intended for the final game. "This was never intended to be part of the final release," said the company, noting that an internal oversight led to this placeholder text mistakenly making it into the final product. They assured fans that this was an isolated incident and steps are being taken to rectify it.

Translation Decisions Under Scrutiny

Another area where AI was utilized was in the translations of subtitles for licensed movies incorporated in the game’s social area. 11 Bit Studios revealed that due to tight deadlines, they opted for AI to localize these videos instead of waiting for their professional translation teams. "We aimed to involve our trusted translation agencies post-launch as part of our localization hotfix," they explained. The studio is now actively working on updating these translations to meet the high standards expected by their players.

Looking Ahead

As 11 Bit Studios moves forward, they are taking the feedback seriously and are committed to improving the in-game experience. Fans are encouraged to anticipate updates that will enhance quality and transparency regarding the use of AI in their games.