1666: Amsterdam, the latest action-adventure project from Assassin's Creed co-creator Patrice Désilets, debuted at Summer Game Fest just last week. Within days of the reveal the title encountered controversy surrounding artificial intelligence. After multiple players flagged potential AI-generated elements in the game from developer Panache Digital Games, the studio addressed the issue directly, issued an apology, and confirmed that no AI-produced assets would appear in the finished release.

Concerns centered on the title's promotional artwork along with the complimentary 30-minute prologue demo offered via Steam and the Epic Games Store. In response to player feedback, the Montreal studio founded by Désilets in 2014 following his departure from Ubisoft confirmed that preliminary AI-assisted versions of certain assets had inadvertently appeared in the playable prologue.

“Several individuals contacted us regarding possible generative AI usage in our promotional materials and in-game content,” the studio stated on its X account midweek. “Our team of more than a dozen skilled artists reviewed the questioned items and confirmed that early AI-assisted versions had been included. These appear in select in-game portraits and external promotional pieces.”

Panache confirmed the assets are now under revision and will be swapped for hand-crafted replacements in an upcoming patch arriving shortly.

“We accept responsibility for this mistake and regret any disappointment it caused. Rest assured the Early Access version and complete release will contain no AI-generated assets,” the studio stated.

1666 Amsterdam is a third-person narrative-driven action-adventure game set in - you guessed it - Amsterdam during the year 1666. Players follow Noa Brooklyn, a Collector who employs witchcraft to expose demonic forces among humans. The experience offers separate day and night cycles that let players investigate the city and reveal its hidden supernatural threats.

Early Access arrives on PC in 2026, followed by console editions at a later date. The introductory prologue demo, which presents the setting, characters, and core ideas of 1666: Amsterdam, is available now on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Crazy Taxi and Tomb Raider Encounter Similar AI Concerns

1666 Amsterdam is not alone among recent reveals facing questions over AI. Sega's Crazy Taxi: World Tour, shown at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7, drew criticism after its Steam listing included an AI-generated content notice. Sega explained that generative tools served only as aids to let developers concentrate on creative work.

“Generative AI support tools assisted development of Crazy Taxi: World Tour. No AI was applied to performer likenesses,” the company noted in the disclosure section.

Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis followed a comparable path after its new trailer and release timing were confirmed at Sony's State of Play. The Steam page disclosed use of AI-assisted tools during production. Developers at Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog stated that any AI-created elements were subsequently replaced or adjusted by human artists to preserve the team's intended vision.

After the reaction, Crystal Dynamics reassured players that the finished game would remain “human-crafted.”

“At Crystal Dynamics we employ AI tools to accelerate idea iteration while guaranteeing that all final content is human-crafted,” the studio said. “Our aim is to support developer creativity and deliver top-quality experiences.”