Jagex pulls RuneScape trailer after AI controversy
Jagex has pulled a new trailer for the RuneScape 3 expansion Hoard of Dragons following backlash over the use of generative AI. The video, intended to showcase the Dragon Slayer II quest arriving in 2027, was removed shortly after viewers pointed out obvious AI-generated artifacts.
Despite the trailer's hand-drawn aesthetic, several frames revealed clear signs of AI generation. Notable errors included a knight depicted with six fingers and another character wearing sneakers that appeared to be Nikes—an anachronism that stood out sharply in the medieval setting. The visual inconsistencies led to immediate criticism from the community.
Following the removal, social media manager Alex Sween addressed the issue on Reddit, stating that the trailer was produced by a "trusted external partner" who had explicitly confirmed that GenAI would not be used. However, the presence of the extra digits made that claim difficult to defend. Jagex apologized for the oversight and promised to overhaul their review processes to prevent such instances in the future.
The company maintained its official stance: Jagex does not use GenAI to create its games, artwork, or creative assets and will not knowingly allow it to be used on their behalf. Despite this, the incident has sparked discussions regarding the quality of oversight for commissioned work and the impact of AI-generated content on the industry's creative standards.
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