The Jagex pulled a Dragon Slayer 2 trailer shown during RuneFest after players pointed out elements that raised suspicions of generative artificial intelligence use. The RuneScape developer said it had opened an urgent investigation and that the material had been produced by an external partner that had guaranteed not to use GenAI.
The company has not confirmed so far that artificial intelligence was used in the production. In its response to the community, however, it acknowledged that one of the images showed a character with six fingers, one of the inconsistencies that sparked the accusations.
Jagex reiterated that its policy is not to use GenAI in the creation of games, art, or other creative materials and that it also does not knowingly allow third parties to use the technology on its behalf.
The episode puts the focus not only on the trailer but on the controls applied to suppliers responsible for pieces that reach the public bearing the company's brand.
Jagex to review processes with external partners
Jagex itself acknowledged a flaw in that process. According to the company, this is the second case in a short time in which problems related to generative AI arise in work produced by partners considered trustworthy.
Days earlier, a collaboration between Old School RuneScape and 100 Thieves also drew criticism because of an item of clothing. 100 Thieves later admitted that a designer had used artificial intelligence during the final phase of creation and said that the material reached production without the problem being identified.
Unlike the new trailer, therefore, in that previous case the use of AI was acknowledged by the partner itself.
After RuneFest, Jagex said it will overhaul its review processes. The company also plans to hire creators from its own community to work on new materials related to Dragon Slayer 2.
The investigation still needs to determine how the trailer was produced and whether GenAI was actually used. Regardless of the outcome, the company's response already indicates an operational change: contractual declarations from suppliers will have to be accompanied by stricter controls before external assets are published under the RuneScape brand.
