Jagex, the developer behind the long-running MMO RuneScape, has found itself in controversy following its annual convention, RuneFest. A trailer for the upcoming Dragon Slayer 2 quest in RuneScape 3 has drawn significant criticism from the community due to its apparent use of generative artificial intelligence.
Players quickly identified peculiar elements in the trailer, including a character with a six-fingered hand and what appeared to be fantasy-themed sneakers resembling Air Jordans. This discovery led to community anger, particularly given Jagex's recent public statements on the use of generative AI.
Just days before the trailer's release, a Jagex representative, Jagex Sween, had stated on Reddit that the company does not use generative AI to replace artists and developers, nor in its marketing materials or partnerships. The statement explicitly said, "We don't use generative AI to replace the artists and developers who make our games, we don't use it in our marketing materials, and we won't use it in our merchandising or allow its use in partnerships." The subsequent appearance of what seemed to be AI-generated content in an official trailer contradicted this stance, leading to accusations of hypocrisy.
In response to the backlash, Jagex removed the trailer and issued a new statement. The company acknowledged the community's concerns and apologized for the inclusion of AI-generated content. The statement explained that the trailer was produced by an external partner who had assured Jagex that generative AI would not be used. Jagex admitted that this incident highlighted flaws in their own review processes for third-party collaborations.
"This is the second time in quick succession that concerns about generative AI have arisen through partners we trusted, and for us that highlights an issue with our own processes which we must address," the statement read. Jagex announced an immediate overhaul of its review processes following RuneFest. The company also committed to working with and commissioning creators from within the RuneScape community to ensure the Dragon Slayer II update is presented to the highest standard.
While this incident has caused frustration, Jagex also used RuneFest to announce other significant updates, including a "Reignited" version of RuneScape with updated HD visuals and a new RuneScape MMO currently in development using Unreal Engine. The company hopes that by addressing its internal processes, it can prevent similar issues from arising with future projects.