Visual errors in the Dragon Slayer 2 trailer
The Dragon Slayer 2 quest trailer, intended to showcase upcoming content for RuneScape 3, became the center of a massive community backlash due to visible technical flaws. During the RuneFest keynote, viewers quickly identified several hallmarks of generative artificial intelligence within the footage. Most notably, a player character was depicted with six fingers, a common error in AI-generated imagery.
Beyond the anatomical anomaly, the trailer featured other unsettling visual inconsistencies. Observers pointed out that the character's armored footwear possessed a bizarre, sneaker-like sole that felt out of place within the game's established aesthetic. These errors transformed what should have been a celebratory moment for the franchise into a source of skepticism regarding the studio's production standards. The presence of such blatant mistakes suggests that the assets were not hand-crafted or properly vetted by traditional animation pipelines.
Jagex response and the role of external partners
Jagex has officially removed the controversial trailer while launching an urgent internal investigation into how the footage was approved. Alec 'Mod Sween' Sween, representing Old School RuneScape, addressed the community on the 2007scape subreddit to clarify the situation. He noted that the trailer was produced by a trusted external partner who had explicitly provided assurances that generative AI would not be utilized in the production process.
According to the statement from Mod Sween, the presence of the six-fingered character made the use of AI nearly impossible to defend. "This trailer was produced by a trusted external partner who had explicitly confirmed that GenAI would not be used. But, among other things, there's a sixth finger and, well, that's pretty hard to explain away," Sween stated. The developer admitted that while the error originated with a third party, the responsibility for the final output ultimately rests with Jagex. The studio has acknowledged that their internal review processes failed to catch these glaring mistakes before the public debut.
Addressing recurring generative AI concerns
This incident is not an isolated occurrence for the developer, as it follows a recent controversy involving a clothing collaboration with 100 Thieves. This pattern of errors has forced Jagex to re-evaluate its stance on artificial intelligence and its management of creative vendors. The studio has reiterated a firm policy regarding the use of automated tools in their creative workflow.
Jagex maintains a clear position: the company does not use generative AI to produce its games, artwork, or any core creative assets. Furthermore, the studio has stated it will not knowingly permit such technology to be used on its behalf. Sween highlighted that the recurrence of these issues through trusted partners indicates a systemic problem. To rectify this, Jagex is currently "overhauling" its review processes to ensure better oversight of external contributors and to prevent similar lapses in the future.
Future steps for Dragon Slayer 2 development
To restore player confidence, Jagex plans to change its approach to the storytelling of the Dragon Slayer 2 update. The studio intends to work directly with and commission creators from within the RuneScape community. This move is designed to ensure that the narrative and visual presentation of the quest meet the high standards expected by the long-standing player base. By pivoting toward community-driven content, the developer hopes to move past the current controversy and focus on delivering high-quality updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the RuneScape trailer feature a six-fingered character?
The character appeared with six fingers because the trailer was created using generative AI, which often struggles with human anatomy. Although Jagex's external partner promised not to use AI, the visual errors in the Dragon Slayer 2 trailer proved that the technology was used during production.
Does Jagex use generative AI in its games?
No, Jagex does not use generative AI to create its games, artwork, or creative assets. The company has a clear official policy against the use of GenAI in its primary production, though they are currently addressing issues where external partners have bypassed these rules.
How is Jagex fixing its production oversight?
Jagex is currently overhauling its internal review processes to better monitor external partners. To ensure the quality of the Dragon Slayer 2 update, the studio will also commission creators from the RuneScape community to help tell the story of the quest properly.
