Crimson Desert: AI Use, Launch Issues & Limited Edition PC
Pearl Abyss, the South Korean game developer behind the recently launched open-world action RPG Crimson Desert, has initiated a full audit of its in-game assets following the discovery of AI-generated images included in the final release without proper disclosure. The admission came after players identified paintings and signs within the game exhibiting characteristics consistent with AI-generated artwork.
The oversight violates Steam’s AI Content policy, which mandates developers to disclose the use of generative AI on the game’s store page. A disclaimer was added to Crimson Desert’s Steam page on March 22, 2026, stating that generative AI technology was used “in a supplementary capacity during the creation of some 2D prop assets,” and that these assets are “replaced through our production pipeline by our art and development teams.”
“We sincerely apologize for these oversights,” Pearl Abyss stated. The company explained that the AI-generated assets were “unintentionally included in the final release” and that the use of AI should have been disclosed to players. The audit aims to identify and replace all such assets through future game patches.
According to Pearl Abyss, the AI tools were primarily used during early development stages to explore the game’s visual tone, and atmosphere. The intention was for these preliminary assets to be replaced by original artwork created by the development team, a process that did not fully occur before the game’s launch.
The controversy surrounding the undisclosed AI art coincides with other issues impacting Crimson Desert’s reception. A new patch released alongside the apology addresses complaints regarding the game’s controls, particularly for players using keyboard and mouse. The developer as well issued an apology for the experience encountered by keyboard and mouse users.
Despite selling over two million copies and peaking at nearly 250,000 concurrent players on Steam within its first day, Crimson Desert has received a mixed user score on the platform, with criticism focused on control issues and performance problems, including visual blurring on PlayStation 5 and PC.
The negative reception has had financial repercussions for Pearl Abyss. The company’s stock value experienced a significant decline this week, initially falling by nearly 30 percent, followed by an additional 10 percent drop. Crimson Desert’s development spanned approximately seven years with an estimated budget of around 200 billion won (approximately $133 million USD).