Hotta Games is facing renewed backlash as a watermark from ByteDance's Doubao AI was discovered on a game asset in the latest Neverness to Everness update.
- Hotta Games' 'Neverness to Everness' (NTE) has been caught using generative AI assets again.
- A seahorse asset in the 1.3 update contained a visible watermark from the free version of Doubao AI.
- This marks the third AI-related controversy for the studio this year.
The gaming community is once again in an uproar following a massive blunder by Hotta Games. Their highly anticipated gacha title, Neverness to Everness (NTE), has been embroiled in its third generative AI controversy this year. This time, the slip-up was not just the use of AI, but a blatant lack of quality control.
Users on the Chinese social media and streaming platform Bilibili noticed something suspicious in the latest 1.3 update, which launched in China on August 12. While inspecting a piece of artwork featuring a seahorse, players spotted a watermark belonging to Doubao, the AI chatbot assistant developed by ByteDance. The presence of the watermark confirms that the asset was generated using the free version of the software.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights a growing tension between rapid AI integration and the preservation of artistic integrity in AAA gaming. For a studio that has publicly committed to "human creativity," being caught using unpolished, free-tier AI assets is a significant blow to player trust and brand reputation.
Forgetting to remove a watermark is more than a mistake; it is a public admission of cutting corners in a multi-million dollar production.
This is not the first time NTE has faced scrutiny. In April 2026, the game was heavily criticized for an overabundance of AI-looking assets. At that time, Hotta Games issued apologies, stating that AI-assisted tools were only used for a small number of background and environmental assets, rather than characters or core storylines. However, this latest discovery suggests that the reliance on AI is much more pervasive than previously admitted.
The irony is not lost on the community. Neverness to Everness reportedly earned over $200 million within its first two months of release. The fact that a studio with such massive revenue failed to upgrade to a premium, watermark-free version of an AI tool is being viewed by many as a sign of corporate negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: How was the AI watermark discovered in the game?
Answer: Players on Bilibili noticed the Doubao AI watermark on a seahorse asset in the 1.3 update.
Question 2: Has Hotta Games addressed this specific incident?
Answer: As of now, the studio has not provided a specific response to the watermark discovery, though they have addressed AI usage in the past.
| Aspect | Developer's Stance | Current Reality |
|---|---|---|
| AI Usage Scope | Minor background assets | Frequent use in environmental art |
| Software Tier | Professional tools implied | Free version of Doubao AI used |
