The new Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis has an AI disclaimer on its Steam page

Visitors to the Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Steam page recently spotted something most game listings don't have: an "AI Generated Content Disclosure." The notice, first reported by Eurogamer, explains that AI-assisted tools were used during development to support some early exploration and temporary development content, and that any AI-assisted assets were either replaced or refined by humans later on in the development cycle.

3

On the surface, that sounds reassuring, but the phrasing is doing a lot of heavy lifting. The statement says assets were "replaced or refined by humans," and it's that "refined by humans" qualifier that gives pause, since it leaves open the possibility that AI-generated elements still exist in the final product in some form. Gamers going in should know that while Crystal Dynamics insists all finished content is human-crafted, the exact scope of AI involvement during production remains vague.

The backlash has been predictable. Some fans say they want nothing to do with the game following the disclosure, while others have pointed to previous rounds of layoffs at Crystal Dynamics as added context for why the situation feels concerning. This isn't an isolated incident. AI creep in game development is becoming a pattern, and studios are increasingly open about it. We covered how Ubisoft has been experimenting with generative AI in Far Cry 7, with an insider describing the early results in less-than-flattering terms.

Moreover, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has previously called AI "revolutionary" for game development, and the company committed to ramping up its generative AI efforts even as it posted a record operating loss. Pearl Abyss, the developers of Crimson Desert, were forced to issue an apology after AI-generated artwork was detected in their game. The direction of travel across the industry is clear: AI tools are being baked into pipelines whether players like it or not.

3

Crystal Dynamics responded to Eurogamer with a statement saying the studio leverages AI tools to help teams iterate on ideas faster and more efficiently, while ensuring all finished content in the final product is human-crafted, with the goal being to empower developer creativity rather than replace it. That's a measured PR answer, and it may well be true. But until players get their hands on the game to test that claim, it's largely a matter of trust.

On top of potential AI integration, the game is already confirmed to have the much-criticized Denuvo DRM, as we have covered previously. Legacy of Atlantis is a remake of the original 1996 Tomb Raider, built in Unreal Engine 5 by Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog. It is now set to launch on February 12, 2027, following a delay from its original 2026 window.