Anticipation for an official Pearl Abyss statement grows as AI-art concerns gain prominence in the industry.

Crimson Desert has launched to strong sales but mixed critical reception amid ongoing questions about whether some in-game assets, including signs and paintings, were generated by AI.

The controversy fits a broader AI-art debate in gaming, with media and players scrutinizing assets, though it remains unconfirmed whether these particular assets were AI-generated.

Some online artwork circulating near Oakenshield Manor has been highlighted as potentially AI-generated, fueling discussion.

Pearl Abyss has not publicly commented at the time of reporting, leaving the issue unresolved.

Critics emphasize the lack of explicit AI-generation disclosure on the Steam page, with Valve requiring such disclosures since 2024 and developers bearing responsibility for compliance.

Publishers may update assets or add disclosures on Steam in response to scrutiny, but the stance from Pearl Abyss remains unclear.

The situation is likened to prior issues like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, where AI art allegedly slipped into final builds, signaling a trend of AI-assisted concepting.

IGN sought comment from Pearl Abyss on AI-generated assets; the company had previously claimed main NPCs are voiced by human actors in marketing messages.

Industry context includes Valve updating AI-disclosure guidelines and ongoing debates about how and whether disclosures should be implemented across development.

Crimson Desert’s Steam page reportedly lacks a clear AI-disclosure, which could violate Valve’s AI-content policy if AI was used for assets.

Visual analyses highlight surreal elements in specific paintings, feeding AI-art speculation without definitive confirmation.