Starry Studio, the developer behind Once Human, a post-apocalyptic MMO survival game, has come under fire on social media for sharing a promotional video for the game that’s clearly made entirely by generative AI. If that wasn’t bad enough, it has very little relevance to the game itself, prompting many to announce a cutting of ties with the title.
The one-minute clip is joined by a spool of text that talks about ‘The Devourer’, a formidable enemy that exists in the universe as a hulking, mechanical boss character.
Once Human, Now AI
Once Human enjoyed a relatively positive launch window when it dropped midway through 2024. It reached a peak of 231,000 users on Steam alone, which isn’t something to be scoffed at. Even now, it boasts a 24-hour average peak of around 17,000 users a day, which isn’t bad going at all.
However, the developer, Starry Studio, and the publisher, NetEase, might have shot themselves in the foot with a recent promotional video uploaded to social media.
This isn’t the first time this has happened, though. On March 20, The Devourer’s arrival was teased in a video shot from an underwater perspective, with an unseen character in the video exploring a wrecked subway.
That was generative AI.
On March 21, another video surfaced, this one taking the form of a first-person shooter game, showcasing a character exploring an abandoned subway station.
Again, generative AI.
Today, the third video appeared, prompting more backlash from the community yet.
One user explained, ‘This game doesn’t even have a desert. Don’t you guys check any decking content that you put out? Especially if it’s AI.’ Another said, ‘Never played this game before, now I know to avoid it. Thanks.’
There were no positive comments to be found under the post; only criticism.
‘I know y’all making enough money from those lootboxes to create actual content instead of AI videos.’
‘Disgusting. This is why I quit.’
‘I really like this game, but this shameful, cheap, and lazy use of AI is inexcusable.’
For some, developers leaning into AI content is a non-starter of an issue, but for others, it’s a hugely principled thing that grates them the wrong way, every time.
Where do you stand? Do you want to boycott Once Human for using generative AI content? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news about the massive Crimson Desert patch
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
More from Grant Taylor-Hill
I mean it really comes down to the trailer not showing anything that really relates to the damn game. It didnt give me any info game related.
I gotta say, when I looked it up on YouTube, I had absolutely no clue that Once Human and Palworld did a collaboration hahaha
It’s been an ongoing issue for a LONG time now. Meanwhile, you have people in the community who would do this for free using in-game assets and better quality.