11 bit Studios addresses AI use in The Alters after undisclosed assets found

11 bit Studios Addresses AI Use in The Alters Development

Recently, a screenshot surfaced revealing an AI-generated text prompt embedded in the background of 11 bit Studios' new game, The Alters. This sparked questions since the studio had not previously disclosed any AI involvement during development, including on Steam, where transparency about AI use is expected.

11 bit Studios has now issued a statement to clarify the situation and explain their approach.

Clarifying the Role of AI in Development

The studio confirmed that AI-generated assets were used only as temporary work-in-progress elements and in a very limited capacity. The core narrative and storytelling remain handcrafted by the team.

Specifically, one graphical designer employed AI to create placeholder text for a background graphic. This text was never intended to appear in the final product but was accidentally left in due to an internal oversight. Upon discovery, 11 bit Studios conducted a thorough review and confirmed this was an isolated incident. The asset is now being updated to remove the AI-generated placeholder.

Use of AI for Localization Under Time Constraints

Additionally, the game includes a few licensed movies that the characters can watch within the social areas of the base. These external assets were added late in development and required last-minute translations. Due to severe time constraints, the studio opted to use AI-generated localization instead of their usual professional translation partners.

This choice was made to avoid releasing these dialogues only in English, which would have reduced accessibility for non-English speakers. The total AI-localized content accounts for roughly 10,000 words out of 3.4 million words across all languages — about 0.3% of the game's text.

11 bit Studios acknowledges this decision was a mistake and regrets not being transparent about it earlier. They have since initiated a process to replace AI-generated translations with professional ones through localization hotfixes.

Moving Forward with Transparency and Adaptation

The studio recognizes the challenges AI tools bring to game development workflows and is adapting internal processes accordingly. Above all, they emphasize their commitment to transparency and quality.

This incident highlights the importance of clear communication about AI use in development, especially as AI tools become more common. For professionals interested in AI applications in creative industries, staying informed on best practices and ethical considerations is critical.

For those looking to deepen their knowledge of AI integration and responsible use in tech projects, resources like Complete AI Training offer relevant courses and certifications.