Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 features multiple cosmetic assets that show clear signs of AI generation. Players have cataloged calling cards, kill cards, emblems, and loading screens with characteristic markers of image-model outputs.
The visual giveaways include incoherent text elements embedded in the artwork, anatomical inconsistencies, and the generic painterly style associated with off-the-shelf tools like Midjourney or DALL·E. Some assets feature disparate themes, such as anime-style Ghibli filters and medieval imagery, that clash with the game’s setting.
The scope remains disputed. Some players describe the game as “littered” with AI-generated cosmetics, while others argue it’s limited to a subset of calling cards. What’s certain is that multiple UI elements display the repetitive textures and malformed structures typical of generative models.
This isn’t new territory for the franchise. Black Ops 6 drew similar scrutiny last year when players identified AI-style artwork in cosmetics and loading screens. Activision and Treyarch acknowledged using generative tools for some 2D and UI pipeline work, with artists curating and adjusting the outputs.
The publisher has not issued a specific statement about Black Ops 7‘s assets. The precedent from Black Ops 6 suggests the studio continues using generative tools to support the high-volume production demands of seasonal content drops and live-service cosmetics.
Why studios turn to AI for cosmetics
Modern Call of Duty entries launch with hundreds of cosmetic items and add more through seasonal updates and bundles. The annualized release cycle and live-service model create pressure to produce assets quickly. Generative tools can reduce turnaround times for lower-priority UI elements, freeing human artists to focus on core game art.
Several major studios have adopted AI-assisted workflows for 2D textures, concept art, and UI elements. The trade-off involves questions about training data sources, artist compensation, and whether consumers should be informed when purchasing AI-generated content.
