Is AI Taking Over? Treyarch's Job Posting Hints at Future of AI-Generated Art in Call of Duty Games

Treyarch, a key developer of the Call of Duty series, has faced online scrutiny following a job posting on its career page that suggests a potential shift towards integrating AI-generated art in its games. Although the posting does not explicitly mention the Call of Duty franchise, Treyarch has primarily developed for this series for over 15 years.

Since debuting with Olympic Hockey '98 on the N64, Treyarch made its first foray into the Call of Duty universe with Call of Duty 2: Big Red One in 2005. From the release of Call of Duty: World at War in 2008, the studio has dedicated itself to the franchise, contributing to ten titles up to 2023, including all entries in the Call of Duty: Black Ops series.

The job listing, highlighted by CharlieIntel on Twitter, seeks a 2D Artist/Animator to join Treyarch’s team. The role requires proficiency in digital illustration, motion design, and the use of generative AI tools. The candidate is expected to enhance art produced by both human artists and AI, with experience in AI art platforms like Stable Diffusion, Vizcom, or Dall-E emphasized.

The use of AI in art creation within the entertainment sector, particularly in video gaming, has been contentious. According to a March report from Unity, 62% of game studios use AI in some form, though this often involves preliminary stages such as prototypes and concepts rather than final products.

Despite the efficiency AI might bring as game development becomes more technologically demanding, its potential to replace human creativity remains a significant concern within the gaming community. This shift suggests a continuing trend towards more widespread use of AI-generated art in game development, reflecting broader industry adaptations to evolving technologies.