Owlcat Games Admits AI Use for Game Development – But No AI Assets in Final Release

Owlcat Games, the developer behind the upcoming sci-fi RPG The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, has confirmed This proves utilizing generative AI tools during the game’s development process, but insists no AI-generated content will appear in the final product. The confirmation, made to Eurogamer ahead of the game’s beta announcement, follows previous scrutiny regarding the studio’s approach to the technology.

PR manager Katharina Popp stated that the AI is being used primarily for prototyping and iterative design tasks. “We don’t use it to create any assets that will be in the game,” Popp said. “We use it a lot for prototyping, trying things out, placeholders. They will all be replaced at the conclude.”

Specifically, Owlcat is employing the AI to explore technical aspects of game development, such as visualizing how a 2D image might translate into a 3D model, or rapidly testing different color palettes. “We use it basically for trying out things on a technical level,” Popp explained. “For example, looking how a 2D image looks in 3D, or changing colours to what looks good. So it’s basically for being able to iterate faster.” The studio has explicitly stated it is not using AI for writing dialogue or generating voice acting.

This isn’t the first time Owlcat has addressed concerns about its use of AI. In March 2024, the studio clarified its position after a job posting for a concept artist listed “concept generation using AI and other modern tools” as a required skill. At the time, Owlcat explained that AI would be used “exclusively for additional operate with concepts and speeding up some internal processes…for creative search, inspiration, or vision coordination before starting conceptualisation itself.” The studio affirmed that the final game and its associated concepts would be entirely created by professional artists.

Owlcat also emphasized that the implementation of AI tools is not intended to result in job losses, but rather to enhance the efficiency of its existing team. The studio cited tasks like quickly adjusting color schemes in Photoshop as examples of processes that can be accelerated with AI assistance.

The use of generative AI in game development has become a contentious issue in recent months, with other studios facing criticism for the inclusion of AI-generated assets in released games. Both Clair Obscur and the developers of Crimson Desert faced backlash after players discovered AI-generated images in their respective titles, despite initial assurances to the contrary. In the case of Clair Obscur, the studio was forced to relinquish an award after admitting it had misrepresented its use of AI.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is currently slated for release in spring 2027.