11 Bit Studios, the creators of the newly launched survival game 'The Alters,' face backlash for their controversial use of generative AI in developing the game's text and translations. After players flagged this issue, the studio has vowed to replace AI-generated content with handcrafted alternatives.

The uproar began last week when players discovered an AI-generated snippet displayed in the game's Command Center. An image shared on Reddit showcased a line saying, 'Sure, here’s a revised version focusing purely on scientific and astronomical data:' followed by what appeared to be a Captain’s log completely produced by an AI, raising suspicions that the developers neglected to remove the AI's prompt.

But this was just the tip of the iceberg! Fans scrutinizing other language versions uncovered similar AI-generated instances. A user on BlueSky, Heitor De Paola, shared a screenshot of the game in Brazilian Portuguese, revealing the peculiar line, 'Sure! Here is the translated text into Brazilian Portuguese.'

These unsettling revelations indicate that 11 Bit Studios might have relied on generative AI not just for crafting in-game dialogue but also for localizing the game across different languages. Adding fuel to the fire, 'The Alters' Steam page notably lacks any disclosure regarding the use of AI tools, which Valve mandates developers to provide.

In light of the criticism, 11 Bit Studios took to their social media channels to clarify their position. They stated that the AI-generated assets were only meant as temporary work-in-progress materials during development. They explained that the AI-generated localizations were additionally implemented at the final stage due to tight deadlines, ultimately choosing AI over their usual professional translation partners.

To address these concerns, the development team has promised an upcoming hotfix aimed at replacing the AI-written lines with professionally crafted translations, reassuring players that they are committed to upholding quality and authenticity in their game.