Blizzard, the developer behind Overwatch 2, has explicitly denied claims that recently introduced in-game sprays for its competitive hero shooter were created using artificial intelligence.
Fans of the game, utilizing platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, were quick to highlight what they interpreted as tell-tale signs of AI generation within the new cartoon-style sprays. These sprays depict characters like Venture, Juno, and the game`s latest hero, Wuyang.
One user on X specifically pointed to perceived irregularities in the `hair and line art` in a spray featuring Venture and Juno. Another critic claimed to observe `weird errors and strange details that`d be odd for an industry artist to make,` citing an example where one of Juno`s eyebrows appeared incongruously above her hair while the other was beneath it.
Responding to these concerns, a Blizzard spokesperson issued a statement to Kotaku, asserting: “The sprays referenced are artist-made.”
This isn`t the first instance of Blizzard facing AI-related accusations concerning Overwatch 2. In August, an official Overwatch X account post, promoting a collaboration with the figurine and plush company Youtooz, contained background art that many observers believed to be AI-generated.
The controversial post was subsequently removed. The Overwatch account later clarified that the artwork originated from Blizzard`s `e-commerce vendor,` emphasizing that the company “expect[s] images such as this to be artist-made, in alignment with our policy.”
Earlier, in April, players accused Blizzard of incorporating AI-generated voice lines into the German localization for Mercy during a Gundam crossover event. A public relations manager for Blizzard addressed these allegations on the company`s forums, denying the use of AI and explaining that “certain localized voice lines in some recent Blizzard game content are currently unavailable or changed.”
The role of AI in game development remains a highly contentious issue within the industry. While fans often react with strong opposition to any suspected AI-generated content, major companies like Sony continue to explore and experiment with AI tools, including advanced large language models (LLMs). Interestingly, reports from 2023 indicated that Blizzard itself had developed an internal AI tool, dubbed `Blizzard Diffusion,` specifically for generating concept art.
Related Overwatch 2 Content & Skins
Below are images from the Persona 5 collaboration event, showcasing various skins, emotes, and rewards within Overwatch 2.
