A wave of discontent is sweeping through the Identity V community after players discovered that NetEase, the game's publisher, has been using generative AI for official social media content. The revelation has sparked outrage among fans who see the move as a direct insult to the game's artistically inclined player base.
In a recent video, popular content creator Stork expressed the community's frustration, noting that NetEase has "begun to blatantly use generative AI on their production posts across social media." The backlash has been felt across both North American/European and Chinese servers, with many calling for a boycott.
"As a community that is so centered around creativity and all forms of art, this is direct disrespect to the Identity V fanbase," Stork said in the video description. The controversy comes at a time when the use of AI in creative industries is increasingly under scrutiny, especially in gaming communities that pride themselves on original artwork and design.
Identity V, a multiplayer asymmetrical horror game known for its distinctive gothic art style, has long relied on player creativity and fan art. The alleged switch to AI-generated imagery is seen by many as a betrayal of those values. Comments on the video reflect the sentiment, with one user writing, "Glad you are here with us in the boycott," while others expressed disappointment.
The situation highlights a growing tension between game developers and their communities over the use of AI in content creation. As of now, NetEase has not publicly responded to the allegations.