Jagex has pulled a trailer for RuneScape 3's upcoming Hoard of Dragons expansion following community backlash over the apparent use of generative artificial intelligence. The trailer, which previewed the Dragon Slayer II quest set to launch in 2027, was quickly removed from official channels after players pointed out anomalies.
Six Fingers and Sneakers
Upon closer inspection, the trailer contained imagery that raised concerns about AI generation. A notable instance at the 1:18 mark showed a knight with six fingers, an anatomical impossibility for humans. Another moment at 0:56 depicted a knight in medieval armor inexplicably wearing sneakers. While marketing tie-ins with brands like Adidas have appeared in games, this instance appeared unintentional.
Developer Response and Apology
Following the trailer's removal, Alex Sween, Jagex's social manager, addressed the situation on the 2007 Runescape subreddit. Sween explained that the trailer was created by an external partner who had assured Jagex that no generative AI would be used in its production. "But, among other things, there’s a sixth finger and, well, that’s pretty hard to explain away. For that we apologise," Sween stated.
The developer's statement acknowledges a failure in their oversight, implicitly blaming the external partner for misrepresenting their work. Jagex reiterated its official stance: "Our position is clear at Jagex: we don’t use GenAI to create our games, artwork or creative assets, and will not knowingly allow it to be used on our behalf."
Jagex has also mentioned plans to "overhaul our review processes" to prevent similar incidents in the future. The developer's apology and subsequent actions suggest a commitment to addressing the issue, though the incident highlights the challenges in verifying the origin of creative assets, particularly when outsourcing.