Revelations about apparent undisclosed generative AI use within the narrative-driven game The alters have ignited significant backlash from players and localisation experts. Developed by 11 Bit Studios, known for critically acclaimed titles exploring complex human themes, the game is now facing criticism over the transparency of its development practices. Evidence suggesting the integration of large language models (LLMs) in game text and subtitles without clear disclosure has become a major point of contention within the gaming community.
This controversy highlights a growing tension in the industry regarding AI tools. Specifically, it raises questions about adherence to platform policies. Since January 2024, Valve’s Steam distribution platform mandates developers disclose the use of generative AI, whether pre-generated or live, covering various aspects like art, code, and sound. As of recent reports, The Alters did not appear to have this required disclosure on its Steam page when the issues surfaced.
Players Uncover AI Prompts in Game Text
The controversy began when eagle-eyed players started finding unusual phrasing embedded within the game. These phrases appeared to be remnants of prompts used to generate content via AI models. Such discoveries quickly circulated online, fueling accusations of undisclosed AI use.
One notable example cited by players involves text displayed on an in-game scientific-looking screen. This flavour text, seemingly intended to add atmospheric detail, reportedly began with the phrase: “Sure, here’s a revised version focusing purely on scientific and astronomical data”. This specific phrasing strongly suggests the output of an LLM responding directly to a user’s command.
Another instance pointed to issues within the game’s localisation. A player engaging with the Brazilian Portuguese subtitles reported encountering confusing glitches. A screenshot shared as evidence showed subtitles containing the line: “Sure! The text translated to Brazilian Portuguese is: Every conversation two people can have, right? So we-“. Like the in-game text, this clearly indicates an AI translation process where the introductory prompt was not fully removed before being implemented into the final game.
Strong Reactions from the Gaming Community
The discovery of these apparent AI remnants sparked sharp criticism from players across various platforms, including Steam. Many expressed their dismay and called the lack of disclosure unacceptable. Players emphasized their right to know how the games they purchase are developed.
“The game is using AI-generated content without a proper Steam Page disclaimer!” one player stated on Steam. They continued, “This is absolutely unacceptable.” The player stressed that Valve’s requirement exists for a crucial reason. They felt developers have an obligation to be honest about using AI rather than attempting to conceal it.
However, not all player reactions were entirely negative or critical of every instance. Some players downplayed the significance of the flavour text issue. They argued that the sci-fi screen text was minor detail not meant for close reading. Comparing it to placeholder text like “Lorem Ipsum” sometimes used in design mocks, they suggested it was a trivial oversight. While acknowledging the translation issues might be more serious, they viewed the flavour text example as an overblown concern.
Localisation Experts Weigh In
The controversy drew attention from professionals in the game localisation field. These experts provided valuable context and insight into the potential implications of the discovered issues.
Lucile Danilov, a game localisation specialist, voiced strong disappointment. Despite her positive feelings towards The Alters, calling it “brilliantly written,” she deemed the situation a “disgrace.” Danilov specifically criticized the presence of AI prompts within the localisation files (“lockit”). She saw this as disrespectful towards the game’s international audience. Reports of errors and inaccuracies in the Brazilian Portuguese translation were particularly alarming to her. This is because The Alters heavily relies on an intricate narrative for its impact.
Danilov speculated on the cause of the issue. She considered whether it was the result of a “careless translator taking shortcuts.” However, she suggested another scenario was more likely. This involved someone on the development or publishing side using a random LLM for last-minute or missing translation lines without proper oversight. This bypasses standard localisation workflows and quality checks.
Further lending credence to the second scenario, Handong Ryu, who was significantly involved in the Korean translation of the game, confirmed similar issues in the Korean version. Ryu stated that while explicit AI prompts weren’t exposed in the Korean text, the same section of the localisation showed clear signs of having been processed through an LLM without adequate editing. This mirrored the problems found in the Brazilian Portuguese version. Ryu believed this made the likelihood of the dev/publisher-side LLM use scenario “closer to the truth.” He also shared that the Korean gaming community reacted with significant and “disheartening” backlash. Ryu noted the criticism stemmed from a part of the game he had no control over as the translator.
Industry Context and Developer Response
The controversy surrounding The Alters occurs within a broader industry discussion about the adoption of generative AI tools. Developers are exploring AI for various tasks, but concerns remain about ethical use, transparency, and potential impacts on creative roles and content quality. Valve’s mandatory disclosure policy reflects a platform-level effort to address transparency for consumers.
The Alters incident isn’t entirely isolated. The article noted a recent situation where Jurassic Park Evolution 3 reportedly removed generative AI used for scientist portraits. This action followed initial player feedback, indicating that developers are navigating player expectations and sensitivities around AI implementation in real-time.
As of the reporting time, 11 Bit Studios had not made a public statement addressing the allegations or responding directly to player comments regarding AI use. This lack of immediate response has likely contributed to player frustration and the intensity of the backlash. The studio’s silence leaves questions unanswered about their development process and intentions regarding AI integration.
Despite the production-related controversy, the core game itself has received positive reviews. Eurogamer’s review, awarding The Alters 4 out of 5 stars, praised its unique narrative and moral dilemmas. The review highlighted the game’s ability to explore complex ideas and make players think. This contrast between a positively received game and a controversy over development methods underscores the complex relationship between creative output and the tools used to create it.
The ongoing debate suggests that while generative AI might become an increasingly “invaluable tool for developers” as some argue, transparent communication and careful implementation are crucial. Players expect honesty about what they are buying. Issues like unedited AI output can erode trust and detract from even a well-received game experience. The reaction to The Alters serves as a clear example of how lack of disclosure regarding AI use can lead to significant community friction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific evidence suggested undisclosed AI use in The Alters?
Players discovered phrases within the game’s text and subtitles that looked like remnants of prompts given to large language models (LLMs). Examples included sci-fi flavour text starting with “Sure, here’s a revised version focusing purely on scientific and astronomical data” and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles containing “Sure! The text translated to Brazilian Portuguese is:”. These phrases strongly indicated content generated by AI where the input prompt was not fully removed.
Why is the lack of disclosure about AI use in games like The Alters a problem?
The primary issue is transparency and player trust. Valve’s Steam platform requires developers to disclose AI use (both pre-generated and live) in their games since January 2024. When a game like The Alters appears to use AI without this disclosure, players feel misled about the product they purchased and the development process behind it. It raises concerns about authenticity and potentially the quality of content generated without proper human oversight, especially in narrative-focused games.
Did developers or translators comment on the AI issues found in The Alters?
Yes, game localisation professionals commented. Lucile Danilov, a localisation specialist, called the presence of prompts a “disgrace” disrespectful to international audiences. Handong Ryu, who worked on the Korean translation, confirmed similar issues suggesting LLM use without proper editing existed in the Korean version of the same game section. Ryu believed this pointed towards the issue originating from the developer/publisher side using AI for translations without adequate oversight or editing before implementation.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding The Alters serves as a potent case study in the challenges and expectations facing the game industry regarding generative AI. While development studios explore these powerful tools, the incident highlights the critical importance of transparency and adherence to platform policies like Valve’s disclosure requirement. The discovery of apparent AI prompts and translation errors has damaged player trust, even for a game otherwise praised for its narrative depth. As AI tools become more integrated into creative pipelines, developers must prioritize clear communication and rigorous quality control to maintain credibility with their audience. The backlash against The Alters underscores that players value knowing how their games are made and expect content, especially narrative elements, to meet high standards, regardless of the tools used in their creation.
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