The open-world action game Neverness to Everness has found itself in the middle of controversy after players discovered examples of generative AI content within the game. The development studio Hotta Studio has now officially confirmed the use of AI-assisted tools and promised to remove and rework the controversial assets.
The controversy began after players started sharing screenshots of promotional posters, backgrounds, and certain animations on social media, claiming they showed typical signs of generative AI content. One animation, in particular, stood out and was quickly removed from the game following negative community reactions.
In an official statement posted on X, Hotta Studio said:
“Neverness to Everness is built on human creativity.”
The studio stated that AI tools were used only for “a small number of background and environmental assets,” while the characters, story, and main creative elements of the game were created solely by the work of artists, designers, and writers.
The developers also confirmed that they have already begun reviewing and reworking the controversial elements. Some assets have already been removed, while others will be replaced with new versions created without AI content.
The controversy further escalated after popular VTuber Ironmouse ended her promotional collaboration with the game, claiming she was not aware of the use of AI technology during development.
Neverness to Everness is a supernatural open-world RPG that combines anime aesthetics, an urban atmosphere, and action gameplay, with many describing it as a blend of Genshin Impact and the GTA open-world concept. The game is being developed by Hotta Studio, known for Tower of Fantasy, and is being developed for PlayStation 5, PC, and mobile platforms in Unreal Engine 5.
This is not the first time the gaming industry has entered discussions about generative AI content in recent months. Several studios have already faced criticism from the community for using AI assets, while numerous developers and publishers are trying to find a balance between new technologies and preserving human creativity in video game development.
