RuneScape creator Jagex recently hosted its annual convention RuneFest, a hub for community events and new reveals for the British developer’s many games. Sadly, one of those reveals has spoilt the fun somewhat due to unexpected generative AI use.
The trailer, a cinematic reveal for RuneScape 3’s Dragon Slayer 2 quest, presents the premise for a new big adventure in a sketched style. However, people quickly spotted some strange issues with this trailer, such as a hand with six fingers, and a pair of fantasy Air Jordans.
Players were immediately angry about the use of generative AI for this trailer. Jagex staff had only reaffirmed its stance against generative AI use only a few days ago when a third-party apparel collaboration received flak for its use of gen AI in its design. When that happened, Jagex Sween responded on Reddit, posting: “We’re as angry as you are about this. We wouldn’t have approved the use of AI in any designs. 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.RuneScape, all of our games, is built by talented people, and that human craft and creativity matters enormously to us.”
This latest trailer coming in such short succession then isn’t a good look for the developer, nor its stance against generative AI. Another statement was released in the wake of this trailer backlash, one that echoes much of the frustration from irked community members.
“We’re aware of the concerns raised about the Dragon Slayer 2 trailer and have taken it down, while we investigate urgently. This trailer was produced by a trusted external partner who had explicitly confirmed that GenAI would not be used. But, among other things, there’s a sixth finger and, well, that’s pretty hard to explain away. For that we apologise.
“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. 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.
“Immediately following RuneFest we’re overhauling our review processes, and we’re going to work with and commission creators from the community to make sure that the story of Dragon Slayer II is told to the standard befitting of such an update.”
It’s a bit of a pie-in-the-face moment, for sure. Still, one lives and learns, and if it leads to a new system of careful collaboration and quality assurance of third-party partnerships for the company, maybe that’s a good thing. As an olive branch to the RuneScape players, maybe they should add (legally distinct) Rune Air Jordans as a new Beginner Clue scroll reward? Just an idea.
Other Jagex trailers revealed at Runefest proved much more exciting, such as the announcement of a Reignited version of Runescape with new HD visuals, and a whole new Runescape MMO in development.