Pinned for having used generative AI without reporting it, the creators of The Alters speak today in order to explain the situation.
Initially planned for the end of 2024, it was finally in June 2025 that The Altersthe new game of 11 bit Studioswas born. And the least we can say is that these few months of additional development seem to have been beneficial for the studio since since its release on June 13, the title is positively welcomed by the public. Or at least, it was until a few days ago, before unhappy stories of remedies at generative AI come to taint this success.
Generative AI traces identified in The Alters
Indeed, through their discovery of the game, some players were able to realize that The Alters had used generative AI for certain texts and elements present in the adventure. In question: the fact that the studio forgot to hide the prompts in certain subtitles, which then display for example sentences like ” Of course ! Here is a revised version centered only on scientific and astronomical data ” or ” Of course ! The text translated into Brazilian Portuguese is… ”.
And the problem, beyond the fact that the players are still very refractory to this idea, is based in particular on the fact that at no time 11 bit studios did not report having used generative AI in The Alters. However, as stipulates for example Valve in its charter since January 10, 2024, all the games that use it must stipulate it on their file present in the store. Something that did not do the studio, which has all the more provoked the indignation of the players.
11 bit studios reacts to controversy
Faced with the growing controversy, the creators of The Alters have decided to speak on X … to admit their fault while giving their version of the facts. “The elements generated by AI have only been used as temporary elements during the development process and in a very limited manner” Start by specifying the studio. “Our team has always given priority to a significant and craft narration, which is one of the foundations of our game”.
“During production, a text generated by AI for a graphic asset, which was to serve as a background texture, was used by one of our graphic designers as a placeholder. It has never been planned that this is part of the final version ” Then ensures 11 bit studios. In fact, if such an element is still today in The Alters, it is only “Due to an internal forgetting” which will be corrected after a future patch. “This was an isolated case, and the asset in question is being updated”.
Regarding video locations made by AI, the studio specifies that these were added during the last stage of development, which “Need for additional last minute translations”. “Due to extreme time constraints, we have chosen not to involve our translation partners and have made these videos translate using AI so that they are ready at the time of launch”. Again, therefore, updates to these texts are being prepared for a future update of The Alters.
The underside of development
“While AI’s tools are evolving, they present new challenges and new opportunities in the development of a game” Then concluded 11 bit studios. “We actively adapt our processes internal to this reality. But we remain above all attached to transparency in the way we create our games. We thank you for your understanding and for your continuous support in pursuit of this objective ”. Not sure that it is enough to calm the rumble of players but at least, things are now clear for The Alters.
