Neverness to Everness Replaces AI Slop with… Even Worse AI Slop, Sparking Fan Outrage

Video game design is rapidly approaching a point where AI integration is nearly inevitable. Within the next few years, most games will likely incorporate generative tools, though the real concern arises when these AI assets slip into the final product. While audiences may eventually grow numb to this trend, recent events in Neverness to Everness prove that the problem is far from resolved.

According to Kotaku, developers initially pledged to remove AI-generated assets from the game after fan outrage. Some replacements have already been patched out, but one billboard in particular has drawn renewed criticism. Though the original AI image was supposedly replaced, the new version still relies on AI-generated content—just with a different subject.

Neverness to Everness developers released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) defending their use of AI, stating:

"Neverness to Everness is built on human creativity. The characters, stories, and world you experience are the work of artists, writers, and designers. AI-assisted tools were used only on a small number of background and environmental assets, not on the characters or stories that define this game."

However, the replacement billboard—a once AI-generated image resembling a Makoto Shinkai film—now features an advertisement for a soda can. Player ViviVovo (@ViviVovo) highlighted the absurdity of the new image, noting:

"There are way too many different types of clouds, the shadows don't make sense. Overall, just a lot of extra unnecessary things happening for what should've been a low-effort background poster."

ViviVovo’s post, shared on February 16, 2025, underscores the ongoing frustration with AI-generated assets, even after "fixes."

Why AI in Gaming Remains Controversial

Neverness to Everness is a gacha game, a genre notorious for prioritizing speed and cost-cutting over quality. Free-to-play titles, especially those with heavy microtransactions, are prime candidates for AI integration, as developers often treat background elements as expendable. While the developers deserve credit for attempting to remove AI assets, the fact that subpar AI replacements remain in the game reflects deeper industry issues.

AI tools enable developers to churn out assets quickly, often at the expense of originality and artistic integrity. The Makoto Shinkai-style AI art, in particular, drew comparisons to the infamous ChatGPT Ghibli filter, which similarly mimicked the studio’s signature aesthetic without permission or authenticity.

Industry Reactions and Future Implications

Fan backlash suggests that players are increasingly intolerant of AI-generated content, even when developers attempt to correct course. The persistence of AI slop in Neverness to Everness—despite initial promises to remove it—raises questions about accountability in game development. As AI tools become more advanced, the line between assistance and replacement blurs, leaving creators and audiences to grapple with the ethical and creative implications.