Fake Crash Bandicoot and Guitar Hero Games Flood the Internet: How Activision’s ‘AI Slop’ is Shaking Up Gaming

Activision has stirred up some buzz by using generative AI not just for creating game assets, but also for making ads for fake games. You might see these ads for games like Crash Bandicoot Brawl and Guitar Hero Mobile on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The catch? None of these games actually exist.

The images promoting these nonexistent titles are generated by AI. If you click on the links, instead of leading you to a game, you’ll find surveys asking for your opinions. The message states, “This isn’t a real game, but it might be in the future. We’d love your feedback!” This approach aims to gather insights about what players want.

The surveys ask questions about why you clicked the ad, what drew you in, the types of games you enjoy, your expectations for the fake game, and your mobile gaming habits.

For instance, Crash Bandicoot Brawl promotes itself as a fast-paced survival game where over 30 players take on challenges in a wacky environment. Call of Duty: Zombie Defender is advertised as a tactical mobile defense game set in a post-apocalyptic world. However, they are simply products of AI without any actual development behind them.

Activision’s move to integrate AI continues, as seen with its recent announcement that some game elements in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 also utilize this technology. One of the most talked-about creations was a bizarre zombie Santa with six fingers.

What do you think about Activision’s use of AI in marketing? It’s certainly a controversial topic in the gaming community.