During last week's Gamescom Opening Night Live, the Civilization-like strategy sequel Humankind 2 unveiled its major launch trailer. Shortly after its release, some netizens claimed that parts or even the entirety of the footage were generated using AI tools. The game's developer promptly denied these allegations and recently released an extended behind-the-scenes video demonstrating that the trailer was created using practical sets and live-action filming.
On September 4, Amplitude Studios released a one-and-a-half-minute making-of video, documenting the entire filming process of the launch trailer. The video begins by explaining that the behind-the-scenes content was made public due to numerous online comments alleging the trailer was a poorly made AI product. However, Amplitude stated that no part of the trailer was generated using AI tools; instead, it combined live actors, real animals, and practical sets, supplemented by CGI and visual effects.
Scheduled for release in 2027, Humankind 2's development team revealed that the trailer was produced in collaboration with the creative agency BETC, which also crafted several trailers for the previous installment. The trailer was filmed across "multiple practical sets, each representing a different historical era, with unique costumes, props, lighting, and performances recreating the atmosphere of each period." BETC also partnered with the CG and VFX studio LiveFX to add CGI elements such as tornadoes and explosions, enhancing the visual impact of certain scenes.
BETC Creative Director Benjamin Lebreton explained in a press release: "Our goal was to condense the vast span of human history into 73 seconds without losing emotional weight. We didn't just want to tell the story of civilization; we wanted viewers to experience it firsthand. Seeing the world through the eyes of a newborn allowed us to traverse nine different eras, reminding us that each generation inherits the legacy of its predecessors while also having the opportunity to redefine the future."
So, why did so many netizens hastily conclude that this trailer was AI-generated? I have a few guesses. On one hand, the first-person camera movements in the trailer appeared somewhat stiff, and the added blur effect in post-production led some to misjudge it. Moreover, I suspect many viewers watched it on mobile devices, making it harder to see details. Coupled with the widespread public concern about encountering poorly made AI content, and the fact that generative AI games were indeed showcased at this year's Gamescom, these factors combined led many to mistake this live-action, real-actor trailer for AI-generated content.
However, without concrete evidence, people should not jump to conclusions. Dismissing anything that looks slightly off, blurry, or low-quality as "AI garbage" only allows genuinely poor content to slip through more easily and unfairly harms creators who diligently craft authentic content.