Amplitude Studios has responded to online speculation that the announcement trailer for its upcoming strategy game, Humankind 2, was created using artificial intelligence tools. The studio released a behind-the-scenes video showcasing the trailer's production, which involved practical sets, real actors, and CGI enhancements, asserting that no AI was used in its creation.
Trailer Production Details
The minute-and-a-half video details the collaborative effort between Amplitude Studios and creative agency BETC, which also produced trailers for the original Humankind. The trailer's production took place across multiple physical sets, each meticulously designed to represent different historical eras. These sets featured unique costumes, props, and lighting, brought to life by live performances. To further enhance the visuals, BETC partnered with CGI and visual effects studio LiveFX, which added elements such as CG tornadoes and explosions.
Benjamin Le Breton, Creative Director at BETC, explained in a press release that the ambition was to condense the breadth of human history into a short timeframe while maintaining emotional weight. The trailer's perspective, following a newborn, was intended to allow audiences to experience the passage of time across nine distinct eras, emphasizing that each generation inherits the past while having the opportunity to shape the future.
Addressing Public Concerns
The accusations of AI generation arose from a combination of factors, including the trailer's distinctive first-person perspective, which some perceived as stiff, and visual blurriness attributed to post-production effects. The visibility of details may have also been reduced for viewers watching on smaller screens, such as mobile phones. Coupled with a general societal apprehension regarding AI-generated content and the presence of games utilizing generative AI at events like Gamescom, these elements contributed to the online community's conclusion.
Critics have noted the importance of discerning between AI-generated content and traditional production methods, cautioning against the casual labeling of any visually imperfect or unusual trailer as AI-generated. Such accusations, they argue, can unfairly diminish the work of creators and make it harder to identify genuine instances of AI misuse.
Humankind 2 is slated for release in 2027. The studio's proactive response aims to clarify the production process and reassure players about the authenticity of its marketing materials.