Ubisoft has reaffirmed its commitment to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in video game development, highlighting that the title Anno 117: Pax Romana has been its first release on Steam that includes a disclosure of AI-generated content. However, this approach has generated controversy, as several players have pointed out visual issues with background characters, such as disproportionate hands and confusing figures. The situation worsened when a supposed ‘placeholder’ art was included in the final version of the game, although Ubisoft has argued that this art represents an unreviewed piece that will be corrected in the next patch.
The community is not satisfied
In discussion forums like Reddit, user comments have been eloquent, with some players expressing their discontent and stating that this choice will affect their purchasing decision. A user claimed that they will not buy the game until its price drops, arguing that AI tools do not offer the same level of visual quality as previous titles like Anno 1800. This sentiment aligns with criticisms regarding the potential AI-generated localized text in the game, which has led to concerns about the quality of the narrative and the overall experience of the title.
Despite the criticism, Ubisoft believes that Anno 117 is the most ambitious in the saga and emphasizes that AI is just a complement to the work done by a team of artists who, according to them, is the largest that has worked on the franchise. However, recent incidents have raised questions about how traditional techniques are truly balanced with new AI-driven approaches, leaving a sense of distrust among some fans of the series.
