In the wake of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's launch, Activision has issued a statement about its alleged use of AI-generated images. The quote was prompted by accusations about Black Ops 7's many icons potentially being AI-generated with Calling Cards and Prestige icons being especially targeted.
For better or worse, generative AI is playing an increasingly major role in the games industry. A particularly illuminating Google Cloud survey from earlier this year revealed that 87% of game-makers use artificial intelligence to some extent during development, whether it's to streamline creative tasks, optimize code, or generate mock-ups and concept art. Of course, many of these uses are limited to behind-the-scenes elements, which is why that 87% figure might seem a bit high; most major developers and publishers have shied away from explicit or player-facing use of generative AI, likely motivated by the technology's controversial nature. Digital storefronts like Steam have even started requiring that publishers disclose the use of generative AI on their games' store pages—a disclaimer that is currently present on the Black Ops 7 Steam page.
The Black Ops 7 AI disclaimer on Steam states "our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets."
EA, Take-Two, and CDPR Worried About Using AI Due to Backlash
Some of the biggest names in the gaming industry have concerns about the now-widespread dislike that many players feel toward generative AI.
Activision Response to Black Ops 7 AI-Generated Art
Following a number of social media posts identifying perceived AI-generated art in Black Ops 7, XboxEra contacted Activision for comment. The Call of Duty publisher responded with the following: "Like so many around the world, we use a variety of digital tools, including AI tools, to empower and support our teams to create the best gaming experiences possible for our players. Our creative process continues to be led by the talented individuals in our studios.”
This isn't the first time that Activision has been suspected of using AI art. In fact, the publisher has admitted to using "generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets" in previous Call of Duty titles.
Activision's potential use of generative AI in Black Ops isn't especially surprising. AI-generated assets, from art to music, promise to dramatically reduce development costs, which is appealing when it comes to games with massive budgets like Black Ops 7. It probably won't be popular, but gaming audiences should brace for more AI art accusations in the future, especially in expensive games from big companies.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 66 /100 Critics Rec: 34%
- Released
- November 14, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Treyarch, Raven Software
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
WHERE TO PLAY
In Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Treyarch and Raven Software are bringing players the most mind-bending Black Ops ever.
The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare. David Mason leads an elite JSOC team on a covert mission to the sprawling Mediterranean city of Avalon. While there, they discover a sophisticated plot that won’t just plunge the world into chaos, it will pull them into their own haunting pasts.
Squad up or go solo in an innovative Co-Op Campaign that redefines the Black Ops experience. Take on high-stakes challenges across a wide spectrum of environments, from the neon-lit rooftops of Japan to the Mediterranean coast, and even into the deepest corners of the human psyche.
Multiplayer explodes out of the gate with 16 electrifying 6v6 maps and two 20v20 maps at launch. From futuristic Tokyo vistas to the frozen, unforgiving wilds of Alaska, every environment is brimming with danger and opportunity. Master a cutting-edge arsenal and outmaneuver your enemies with an evolved Omnimovement system.
In Treyarch’s legendary Round-Based Zombies mode, the nightmare begins where reality ends. Trapped in the heart of the Dark Aether, the crew is thrust into a vast, ever-shifting hellscape. This isn’t just survival. It’s a descent into madness.
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes - all platforms
- Cross Save
- Yes - all platforms
- Prequel(s)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Franchise
- Call of Duty, Call of Duty: Black Ops
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- November 14, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- November 14, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- November 14, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 204.45 GB
