Polish developer 11 bit studios, known for This War of Mine and Frostpunk, has responded to concerns about AI-generated content in their sci-fi survival game The Alters, released on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on June 13, 2025. Following player accusations spotted on Reddit, the studio issued a statement via Bluesky, clarifying their limited use of AI as temporary placeholders and outlining steps to address oversights.
The Alters immerses you in a narrative-driven adventure where protagonist Jan Dolski creates alternate versions of himself, called Alters, to survive on a hostile alien planet. During development, a graphical designer used AI-generated text as a placeholder for a background texture, intended only as a work-in-progress asset. Due to an internal oversight, this text made it into the final game. 11 Bit Studios conducted a thorough review, confirming this was an isolated case, and is updating the asset. A screenshot shared in the statement shows the text’s minor role, emphasizing its limited impact on the overall experience.
Additionally, the studio used AI to localize a small portion of in-game content, specifically dialogue for licensed movies that Alters watch in the base’s social area. These movies, totaling about 10,000 words or 0.3% of the game’s 3.4 million words across all languages, were added late in development. Facing time constraints, 11 bit studios opted for AI-assisted translations instead of involving their usual translation partners, a decision they now acknowledge as a mistake. The studio is working with trusted agencies to update these translations as part of a post-launch localization hotfix.
As AI tools evolve, they present new challenges and opportunities in game development. We’re actively adapting our internal processes to meet this reality. But above all, we remain committed to transparency in how we make our games. We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we work towards that goal.
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