11 bit Studios, creators of *The Alters*, recently responded to claims that generative AI tools were incorporated into the game’s development. The studio confirmed that while GenAI was utilized during production, some instances were unintentional oversights, whereas others stemmed from “deadline pressures.”

After its recent launch, *The Alters* earned widespread praise, securing an 84 Metacritic score for its inventive multiverse narrative. However, backlash emerged when fans uncovered evidence suggesting undisclosed AI-generated assets, including poorly translated text in multiple languages and placeholder visuals.

A central grievance revolves around the studio’s failure to disclose GenAI involvement, particularly for localization. Players flagged subpar translations in Portuguese, Russian, and German, criticizing the lack of transparency despite Steam’s revised policies mandating AI-use notifications. As of now, no such disclosure appears on the game’s Steam page.

In a public statement, 11 bit Studios clarified that one AI-generated text fragment, visible in a background graphic, was accidentally included in the final build. The team shared a screenshot highlighting its negligible presence, calling it an oversight but avoiding “trivialization” of the issue.

“AI-generated elements were employed restrictively as provisional assets during development. Our focus remained on delivering a thoughtfully crafted narrative,” the statement reads, emphasizing that the problematic texture was a stand-in element overlooked during quality checks. “We’ve verified this was an isolated incident and are rectifying the asset.”

The studio also acknowledged using AI for late-stage video translations, citing tight deadlines as a factor. “To expedite localization for certain in-game videos, we opted for AI tools rather than our usual partners. This proved shortsighted, and we’re now working with translators to overhaul these segments.”

According to the developer, AI-generated text constitutes a minimal portion of the game’s content, and temporary translation solutions were implemented to avoid excluding non-English audiences. “Regardless of intent, transparency was essential, and we fell short. We apologize for this misstep.”

As debates around GenAI in gaming intensify, *The Alters* case highlights the risks of insufficient disclosure. Though AI tools are increasingly common in development—whether for prototyping or final output—11 bit Studios’ failure to communicate their use has strained player trust. The incident may prompt Steam to enforce stricter oversight, potentially penalizing ventures that obscure AI involvement.