Another studio leans on AI for 'productivity' after players caught them using it.

Pearl Abyss, the developer behind the fantasy MMO Crimson Desert, is doubling down on AI tools across its game development pipeline, despite recent controversy. The company confirmed its plans in an earnings report, detailing that AI will be used for automating repetitive tasks, supporting content creation, and optimizing testing. This push follows an incident where AI-generated assets made it into the game's launch version, leading to player backlash. For developers and players, this signals a continued industry trend of prioritizing efficiency and cost-cutting over bespoke, handcrafted artistry. The move suggests that once a tool like AI gets its foot in the door—even accidentally—it's here to stay, marking another step toward automated, assembly-line game development.