Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has launched, immediately drawing attention for its apparent integration of AI-generated art assets, a revelation confirmed by Activision. Specifically, the game's collectible Calling Cards, numbering over 680, are under scrutiny for displaying an unpolished style that players and reports, including Kotaku, suggest mimics generative AI tools. This comes as Activision officially disclosed on the Black Ops 7 Steam page that "generative AI tools were used to help develop some in-game assets," a statement that has not quelled community discussion as of November 15, 2025.

Allegations of AI-Generated Art in Calling Cards

The controversy centers on the game's extensive collection of Calling Cards, which serve as cosmetic backgrounds earned through achievements or purchases. These assets have been described as appearing "unpolished for a splashy $70 game," with some critics drawing comparisons to a "knockoff animation style" commonly associated with generative AI. Player reports, corroborated by IGN, highlight "inconsistent art quality" across these high-volume collectibles. The sheer quantity, exceeding 680 cards, seems to be a significant factor in the perceived art style anomaly.

Activision and Treyarch Address AI Tool Integration

Responding to inquiries, Activision provided a statement to Kotaku, noting that AI was "one of several 'digital tools' it used 'to empower and support our teams to create the best gaming experiences possible for our players'." Further insights from a Treyarch blog post on Activision’s official website elaborate that AI was part of a suite of "modern development tools" utilized to "enhance efficiency" in asset creation. This approach was particularly applied to "high-volume elements like Calling Cards," aiding in "iterative prototyping" to meet the demanding "tight annual release cycle" inherent to the franchise.

Industry analysis, including reports from Polygon, suggests that leveraging AI tools could be a cost-saving measure, a trend observed in other recent Activision titles. However, Black Ops 7’s explicit disclosure on its Steam page is seen by Video Games Chronicle (VGC) as a move towards greater transparency, potentially setting a precedent for the industry regarding AI integration in secondary assets. Regionally, the game's EU Steam page notably includes a required disclosure about "AI-generated content," aligning with emerging AI regulations, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz.

Broader Game Context: Launch, Game Pass, and Campaign Concerns

Beyond the AI art discussion, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 marks a significant milestone as the first title in the franchise to launch day-one on Xbox Game Pass. This strategic integration, confirmed by Microsoft's Xbox Wire blog, is part of the company's efforts to justify recent subscription price adjustments. Forbes reports strong initial subscriber uptake, yet player excitement has been somewhat tempered by the ongoing AI controversy.

Moreover, the game's campaign mode presents its own set of "pressing issues," according to Activision's official FAQ. It necessitates a constant internet connection, even when playing solo with bots, designed for "squad-based play," and disables the ability to pause the game to maintain "real-time immersion." This requirement has garnered frustration among players, a sentiment highlighted in reviews tracked by GameSpot. Despite some player backlash on forums over "lazy" AI art, initial sales have remained robust, with VGC estimating over 10 million units sold within the first 24 hours. Treyarch has since teased forthcoming "art quality patches" in a community update, signaling potential adjustments to address player feedback.