The surreal, uncanny trailer for Humankind 2 that debuted at Gamescom 2026 sparked immediate speculation online, with many people believing the footage was AI-generated.
The trailer, which premiered at the Gamescom 2026 Opening Ceremony, features an eerie, first-person view of various historical periods across time and space, all looking down the barrel of the camera directly at the viewer. The odd choice of camera angle and generally off-putting visuals led many to suspect AI. However, it isn't.
The studio confirmed the trailer was filmed at Sofia's Nu Boyana Film Studios using real actors, custom props, and blue-screen compositing. Amplitude did not clarify whether it used generative AI in post-production, but the studio said it would soon share behind-the-scenes photos.
The controversy highlights a growing industry trend: developers facing baseless accusations that AI is replacing human creativity, which is understandable to some degree, as a massive influx of AI-generated content online is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from real, human-made content.
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As for Humankind II, Amplitude promises the sequel will feature enhanced visuals and gameplay. For example, players will be able to "Shape a civilization that is uniquely yours in HUMANKIND 2. Across the ages, every decision you make will build on what came before, affecting everything from the climate and the very culture of your people. Found cities, forge alliances, develop technologies, command armies, and lead your people from their earliest settlements into the Modern Age."
"In HUMANKIND 2, cultural evolution becomes a much deeper journey than ever before. Each Era brings the opportunity to adopt a culture that expands and deepens the identity of your civilization, unlocking exclusive customs through rich cultural progression trees.
As these cultural influences combine, you can create a civilization unlike any other, with unprecedented levels of personalization, consistency, and continuity throughout the ages. Each evolution brings fresh opportunities to redefine your empire's future: follow the historical path, or diverge from it to create a story entirely your own.
HUMANKIND 2 also introduces new stories from around the world, from the Saqqaq and the Etruscans to the Scythians and many more, creating a richer and more historically grounded world to explore," reads the Steam page listing
