Activision tests interest in new titles with AI-generated fake game ads
Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, and Crash Bandicoot have become part of Activision Blizzard's campaign to gauge player interest in the new games.
Activision used AI to create "ads" for non-existent games from well-known series, much to the annoyance of many players.
For some time now, players have encountered materials promoting mobile games, such as the zombie mode from the Call of Duty series, as well as Guitar Hero and Crash Bandicoot. Ads for these "games" can be found on Facebook and Instagram (via Video Games Chronicle / ResetEra).
At first glance, it looks like a typical mobile game advertisement - except without a gameplay video. Some of them include a link, but it doesn't lead to the real store. When trying to download the "game," a message appears expressing gratitude and stating that "this is not a real game, but it might become one someday!" along with a request to complete a survey.
AI with a guitar
This is an initiative by Activision Blizzard aimed at determining whether players would be interested in this type of project. The implementation is carried out by the company Geeklab, which specializes in these "advertisements." The idea itself could be considered interesting, and fans of Crash Bandicoot and especially Guitar Hero wouldn't mind new installments.
However, players aren't thrilled, and it's not because it's about games for mobile devices. Fans claim that Activision is using generative AI, particularly for the graphics in these "ads." In the matter of images, there is hardly any doubt about the involvement of "creative" artificial intelligence.
Some people don't like the idea of such a "scam," promoting non-existent games, although other fans see this as hope for the return of the Guitar Hero series. However, the majority of comments on Activision's official Instagram post are centered on the graphics, heavily criticizing the publisher for using low-quality AI "creations." (As a side note: many internet users apparently didn't check that these are not actually upcoming games; via Reddit).
It's no secret that Microsoft is interested in the potential of artificial intelligence, not only in games. Nevertheless, the issue of employing generative AI is controversial, evident whenever there are claims about devs supposedly using this technology. The response of players to an otherwise intriguing campaign is another evidence of their reluctance to even consider using "creative" artificial intelligence in game development.
