Developers claimed to have replaced or refined any AI-generated content in the upcoming Tomb Raider title.

The upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis has used AI-assisted tools during development. Developers Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog recently added an AI usage disclosure to the game's Steam page, stating that AI was used for "early exploration and temporary development content", which has since been "replaced or refined by humans".

The full disclosure, as shown on the game's Steam listing, reads:

"AI-assisted tools were used during development to support some early exploration and temporary development content. Any AI-assisted assets were either replaced or refined by humans in order to maintain the creative and artistic vision of the development team."

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Release Date: February 2027 (exact date TBA)

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC via Steam 

Developers: Crystal Dynamics, Flying Wild Hog

Does Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis have AI-generated content?

This upcoming Tomb Raider adventure, revealed during The Game Awards 2025, is a remake of the original 1996 game. It is set to take players on a nostalgic journey through Peru, Greece, Egypt, and a Mediterranean island, revisiting locations from the original release with modern visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5.

However, some of those assets were created with the assistance of AI tools during development. A spokesperson for the development team addressed the matter in a statement to Eurogamer:

"At Crystal Dynamics, we leverage AI tools to help our teams iterate on ideas faster and more efficiently, while ensuring that all finished content in the final product is human-crafted. Our goal is to empower the creativity and flexibility of our developers to deliver the highest-quality experiences for players everywhere."

As expected, the revelation has drawn largely negative reactions from fans. While some have praised the studio's transparency and support the use of AI as a development aid rather than a replacement for human creators, others remain strongly opposed to the use of generative AI entirely in game development.

In recent years, numerous games have come under scrutiny for using AI-generated content, particularly "AI-generated placeholders", which many developers argue are useful for prototyping and testing during production.

Recent titles that have faced controversy over AI usage include Neverness to Everness, Heartopia, ARC Raiders, Battlefield 6, and Crimson Desert, among others. Even 2025's Game of the Year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, became embroiled in AI-related controversy, with its indie GOTY award being revoked amid the dispute.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is coming to the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam in February 2027, a delay from its originally planned 2026 launch. Pre-orders are now available, retailing at US$60 for the standard edition.