Call of the Elder Gods: No AI Used in Final Game

The Battle for the Human Touch: Why Artistry Still Trumps Algorithms in Game Dev

In an era where generative AI can conjure a landscape or a character concept in seconds, a growing divide is forming within the game development community. On one side is the push for hyper-efficiency; on the other is a steadfast commitment to the human touch.

This tension recently came to the forefront with the development of Call of the Elder Gods. Even as the industry drifts toward automation, the creative vision behind this indie title serves as a case study for those who believe that true art requires intentionality and meticulous control.

“We used not AI during the production of Call of the Elder Gods or in the final game. We believe that the human touch is incredibly important for all forms of art, and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to control fine details in the operate we produce.” Tatiana Delgado, Creative Lead at Out of the Blue

AI as a Blueprint, Not a Building

The debate isn’t necessarily about the total erasure of technology, but rather where that technology sits in the pipeline. Many studios are adopting a “hybrid” approach, utilizing AI for the invisible scaffolding of a game rather than the visible art.

For example, AI is increasingly used for early-stage prototyping—creating “graybox” environments or rapid concept iterations to test if a mechanic feels right before a human artist spends weeks polishing a single asset. As Delgado noted, AI can be a useful tool when it comes to prototyping at an early stage, but the final product delivered to the player remains a human endeavor.

The Rise of “Artisan” Gaming

As AI-generated content becomes ubiquitous, we are likely to see the emergence of “Artisan Gaming.” Much like the “Organic” or “Handmade” labels in the food and craft industries, developers may soon market their games as 100% Human-Made to attract a specific demographic of players who value intentional design over algorithmic efficiency.

This trend is driven by a desire for “soul” in gaming. When every pixel is placed by a human, the result is often a cohesive aesthetic vision that AI struggles to replicate. AI tends to average out styles, whereas human artists push boundaries, creating the striking art direction that defines cult classics.

Navigating the Ethical and Legal Minefield

Beyond the aesthetic argument, the industry is grappling with significant legal hurdles. The use of AI in commercial products often hinges on the data used to train those models. Many artists have raised concerns over “data scraping” without consent, leading to a fragmented legal landscape regarding copyright.

By eschewing AI in the final build, studios avoid the risk of copyright disputes and maintain full ownership of their intellectual property. This strategic choice ensures that the game’s visual identity is legally secure and ethically sound, a priority that is becoming increasingly critical as regulatory bodies catch up to the technology.

Future Trends: Where the Industry is Heading

Looking ahead, the industry will likely settle into three distinct tiers of production:

• The Automated Tier: Rapidly produced, AI-heavy games focusing on scale and volume over meticulous detail.
• The Hybrid Tier: Studios that use AI for backend optimization (coding assistance, QA testing) while keeping art and narrative human-led.
• The Purist Tier: Boutique studios that market their lack of AI as a premium feature, appealing to the “collector” and “connoisseur” gamer.

For titles like Call of the Elder Gods, which debuts on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Switch 2, the choice to prioritize human artistry is a bet on the long-term value of creativity over the short-term gain of speed.