The co-creator of Mewgenics and creator of Iron Lung are among the developers commenting on Crimson Desert's AI usage, agreeing that, mistake or not, it's useage is questionable regardless.
Crimson Desert isn't exactly divisive, but it's a game with incredibly high expectations that most games could never live up to, launching to "Mixed" Steam reviews and perfectly fine critic review scores, which impacted Pearl Abyss's share price. However, the game is clearly a success, as its Steam reviews have since recovered, and it has sold 3 million copies in 5 days post-launch.
However, one point that most agree on is disappointment over the use of AI-generated assets in a game that is otherwise very good-looking. Much like 2025's standout Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the developers have said that these were mistakenly left in, and are "currently conducting a comprehensive audit of all in-game assets."
While some have downplayed this as 'just for posters', Tyler Glaiel – the co-creator of one of the best games of 2026, Mewgenics – responded on Twitter, saying, "Maybe this is crazy talk, but I feel like concept art is like one of the worst possible places you could use AI. Usually that's where you want to be the *most* creative."
While a response mentioned it allowed the likes of management with minimal artistic talent to create assets, Glaiel adds, "[I] dont want managers with minimal artistic talent being the ones in charge of the art tbh."
Some people are asking about my take on specific types of AI or uses of AI, so to clear things up...Is it stupid? If it is stupid, then I'm not going to use it. And we all know when it's stupid bullshit so let's all stop being pedantic and pretending we don't. https://t.co/B3PSa3xmoqMarch 23, 2026
Meanwhile, David Szymanski, the creator of Iron Lung and Dusk, responded to Former Microsoft and Blizzard exec Mike Ybarra's comment that Pearl Abyss shouldn't have apologized since "AI will be in every single thing" and that Pearl Abyss should "man up."
Szymanski responds, "I'm still going to enter the AI future kicking and screaming. I don't care if it's an inevitability or not. I can't stop stupid bullshit but I can refuse to take part in stupid bullshit."
Szymanski elaborated on his feelings about specific types of AI, saying "If it is stupid, then I'm not going to use it. And we all know when it's stupid bullshit so let's all stop being pedantic and pretending we don't."
While you're here, check out our Crimson Desert review to see if it's worth playing amid the release of all the other new games for 2026.
