Crimson Desert. The highly anticipated open-world game from Pearl Abyss, has launched to a mixed reception, with players debating everything from its control scheme to the depth of its world. But one of the most controversial topics has emerged around the game’s in-game paintings, which some claim may be generated by artificial intelligence.

Strange Imagery Sparks Debate

Among the most notable of these paintings is one found in Oakenshield Manor, a prominent location in the game’s first major town — the image, which appears to depict knights on horseback, features surreal and unsettling elements. Many of the horses are depicted as two-legged abominations, with some merging into the human figures supposedly riding them; Reddit user ‘Rex_Spy’ shared the image, suggesting it could be . They noted that the image resembles early art, which often contained errors and odd compositions.

Another painting. Shared by user ‘Due-Perspective9206’. Shows two knights crossing swords. While However, the image appears to show the blades passing each other rather than clashing, which some have interpreted as a possible sign of content, though While there is no confirmation of AI involvement, the surreal nature of the images has led to speculation within the gaming community.

Pearl Abyss Faces Scrutiny

Pearl Abyss, the developer of Crimson Desert, has not disclosed any use of assets on the game’s Steam page. The company has been vocal about its commitment to human voice acting, with marketing director Will Powers stating in a February interview with the Dropped Frames podcast that all voice acting in the game is done by humans. He clarified that this applies to mainline and sidequest NPCs, but did not confirm whether all minor characters are voice-acted.

The lack of a clear AI disclosure has raised questions among players, particularly given Valve’s rules requiring developers to disclose the use of content. If any assets are present in Crimson Desert, whether intentional or overlooked, the company could be in violation of these policies. has reached out to Pearl Abyss for comment, but has not yet received a response.

Community Reaction and Similar Cases

The gaming community has been quick to scrutinize the details of Crimson Desert, with many players inspecting environmental elements like signs and paintings. This level of engagement is not uncommon, as players often look for hidden details and Easter eggs in open-world games. However, the focus on the paintings has highlighted a growing concern about the use of AI in game development.

This is not the first time a game has faced similar scrutiny. Last year, the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 came under fire for using placeholders that were later replaced in an early patch. Some players expressed nostalgia for the practice of marking placeholder content with large red ‘Delete’ or ‘Fix’ text in test builds, which made it easier to identify and replace such content before launch.

The situation with Crimson Desert has also sparked a broader conversation about the role of AI in game development. While some developers argue that AI can be a useful tool for generating content, others are concerned about the potential for misuse or oversight. The debate over whether the paintings in Crimson Desert are or simply surreal human-made art is ongoing, with no clear resolution at this time.

As the game continues to be played and analyzed, the community will likely continue to scrutinize its content for any signs of elements. For now, the question remains whether these bizarre paintings are the result of AI or simply the product of a developer’s creative vision.

Players who are considering whether to jump into Crimson Desert should keep in mind that while the game offers an expansive world and engaging gameplay, it also comes with its share of controversies and questions. Reviews and community feedback will be key in helping players decide whether the game is worth their time.