Controversy Erupts Over Alleged Use of Generative AI in Neverness to Everness: Players Raise Concerns About Content Authenticity

Accusations of AI Usage in "Neverness to Everness": What Players Are Saying

The gacha game world has been rocked by controversy since the launch of Neverness to Everness (NTE) on April 29. Players have raised alarms, accusing the developers, Hotta Studio, of leveraging generative AI to create content that echoes popular anime, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and a surge of negative sentiment from the community.

Claims of AI-Generated Content

Shortly after its release, players began sharing clips from NTE online, asserting that certain atmospheric elements— like wall art and background details— appear to be “blatantly” AI-generated. Such accusations have created a perfect storm of critique, especially in a genre where visual uniqueness is vital.

The Evidence

Some of the striking examples of alleged generative AI content include:

• Billboards and Backgrounds: A video displayed on a billboard has raised eyebrows due to its similarities with Weathering with You, sparking debates over whether this is a case of homage or appropriation.
• Old-fashioned Animation Clip: Players have pointed out inconsistencies in a particular TV clip within the game, highlighting discrepancies that suggest an AI touch.
• Character Designs: The game’s initial character roster has come under fire for its basic and uninspired designs. Characters like Skia and JiuYuan have drawn comparisons to existing designs from other well-known gacha games, leading to speculation about AI’s role in their creation.

One Redditor articulated this suspicion, linking it back to NTE’s closed beta, where datamined character images allegedly hinted at AI involvement. Comments like “They’re undeniably using AI to generate their character concepts,” circulated within the community, further amplifying dissent.

Community Backlash

The gacha community isn’t holding back in expressing its discontent. Users describe the character designs as “indie VTuber rejects” and claim they resemble a generic template rather than unique creations. One commentator went so far as to say, “The male characters look like you asked GPT to generate an average gacha male character set in an urban fantasy setting,” underscoring the frustration with what they see as a lack of originality.

Hotta Studio’s Position on AI

In the wake of these accusations, many have turned to past statements from Hotta Studio for clarity. In an interview preceding NTE’s release, Executive Director Yang Lei acknowledged the use of AI, specifically for “atmospheric renderings” and “trial and error.” However, he asserted that AI would not be involved in core game assets and character portraits.

As we’ve seen in other titles, like Tower of Fantasy, the plan seems to be using generative AI for initial material, which would ultimately be replaced by human-created assets. Whether or not this is in alignment with what players expect remains to be seen, especially as the backlash mounts.

Conclusion

With a launch surrounded by both enthusiasm and scrutiny, Neverness to Everness finds itself at a crossroads. Players are voiced in their concerns over originality and quality, with many questioning the integrity of the game’s artistic direction. As Hotta Studio faces this growing unrest, their next moves will be crucial in restoring faith among their player base and addressing the broader implications of AI in the gaming industry.

The conversation surrounding NTE serves as a reminder of the delicate balance developers must strike between innovation and authenticity. As we await further responses and developments, one thing is clear: The gaming community is watching closely.