Generative AI has wormed its way into just about every corner of the video game industry over the past few years. Apparently, not even Monster Hunter is safe from the controversy. While some argued that its usage has helped fasten game development, critics argued otherwise. Now, Tencent’s mobile hunting spin-off, Monster Hunter Outlanders, is getting scrutinized after fans accused the game of using AI-generated assets.
Reddit user STRCoolerSimp shared several examples of what they believe show signs of AI generation. Some look rather suspicious than others.
The first is a strange badge icon depicting a Hunter kneeling with what appears to be a Great Sword on his shoulder. At first glance, the Hunter’s helmet somewhat resembles the Kushala X headpiece, but parts are missing. Combined with the oddly asymmetrical kneepads and never-before-seen armor design, the whole thing looks unusually generic for a Monster Hunter game.
The supposed Great Sword also doesn’t seem to resemble anything from a known weapon tree so far, even in Monster Hunter Outlanders itself.
(Click to expand)
(Click to expand)
Then there’s a particularly suspicious-looking Nergigante as seen above. The Elder Dragon is supposed to have its maw wide open, but its face looks like it’s exploding into a mess of thorns instead. On that angle, its horns also appear strangely positioned compared to Nergigante’s established design. Both in Monster Hunter World and during Outlanders‘ own ‘Nergigante Approaches’ event’s introductory cutscene.
In the same image, a banner features an indescribable symbol. Which doesn’t seem to match World‘s Fifth Fleet emblem or any symbol displayed around the Adventurer Guild’s base in Outlanders.
Lastly, there’s a chibi, or super-deformed, illustration of a Palico facing off against the game’s flagship monster, Ruger Aidal. Fans have previously joked that the Elder Dragon’s head looks suspiciously like a Zinogre X helmet. Here, though, it almost literally looks like a piece of armor rather than the monster’s actual head. The Palico’s pose while wielding the Great Sword looks unnatural as well.
Obviously, the hardcore Monster Hunter community is not thrilled by the allegations.
“I was almost baited into trying it by the monster hunter title but this helped me come to my senses lol,” wrote one commenter. Another was more disappointed to see the AI controversy reach their favorite game series, “Kinda pains me that this is happening to MH. I know it is not the main game but still…” Some users are also lamenting where they feel the series is heading in general, “AI or no AI i wont support a franchise going gachafication.. its not like MH is lacking with profit it gets with it mainline games.”
While inconsistent design and anatomy are extremely sus, they aren’t definitive proof that generative AI was involved. For now, though, neither Capcom nor TiMi Studio has commented on the allegations. Let’s just hope that the developer team changed the assets in the release version — if AI is really involved in Monster Hunter Outlanders development.
