Jagex, the studio behind the long‑running MMORPG RuneScape, has publicly responded to the discovery that a recent trailer for the Dragon Slayer II quest in RuneScape 3 was produced with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence. The trailer, which debuted at RuneFest, quickly attracted attention after members of the community – including a post on Eurogamer and several Reddit threads – pointed out unmistakable signs of AI‑generated imagery, such as a hand with six fingers and a pair of medieval‑styled boots that bore an uncanny resemblance to modern Air Jordan sneakers.
In a statement, Jagex clarified that the video was created by an external vendor that the company had classified as a "trusted partner." The partner had explicitly assured Jagex that no generative AI tools would be employed during production, an assurance that was later found to be inaccurate. As a result, Jagex has taken the trailer down while it conducts a thorough investigation into how the breach occurred. "Our stance at Jagex is unequivocal: we do not employ generative AI to craft our games, artwork, or any creative assets, and we will not knowingly permit its use on our behalf," the developer said.
"This is the second incident in rapid succession where concerns about AI have emerged from collaborators we trusted. It highlights a shortcoming in our internal processes that we must rectify immediately." The company added that, following RuneFest, it will be overhauling its review and approval workflows. Jagex plans to enlist and commission creators from within the RuneScape community to ensure that the narrative of Dragon Slayer II is conveyed with the quality and authenticity that fans expect from a major update.
The earlier incident referenced by Jagex involved a partnership with the esports organization and lifestyle brand 100 Thieves, where generative AI was also used without the developer’s consent. "We are as upset as you are about this situation," the statement continued. "We would never have sanctioned AI in any of our designs. We do not replace our artists and developers with AI, we do not embed AI in our marketing, and we will not allow it in our merchandising or in any partnership agreements." Jagex emphasized that the human talent behind RuneScape and its sister titles is the core of the brand.
"RuneScape, like all of our games, is built by skilled individuals, and that human craftsmanship and creativity are of paramount importance to us," the statement read. Earlier in the year, James Dobrowski, Jagex’s Senior Vice President of Product, reiterated the company's firm policy regarding AI.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Dobrowski said the studio has a "commitment that no generative AI will ever be present in any asset that a player can touch, hear or feel. There will be no generative AI in the game that they experience." He clarified that while Jagex is open to leveraging AI for internal tooling and efficiency gains – such as automating repetitive tasks or streamlining pipelines to free up staff for more creative work – the company draws a clear line at using AI to generate creative content. "We want to make our workflows more efficient to improve the lives of our employees and to enable us to produce better content, but we do not want AI to drive the creative decisions themselves," Dobrowski explained.
To enforce this policy, Jagex has begun external audits with its various partners, ensuring that AI is not inadvertently slipping into game assets or promotional material. "That commitment goes so far that we are now doing an audit and having conversations with our external collaborators to guarantee that no AI is being used inappropriately in any of their work that could filter through to the final product," Dobrowski added. The incident has sparked broader industry discussion about the ethical and practical implications of AI in game development.
Many studios are wrestling with how to balance the efficiency benefits of AI tools against the risk of diluting artistic integrity and violating contractual expectations with partners and fans. Jagex’s response underscores a growing trend among major publishers to adopt stricter oversight mechanisms, including contractual clauses that explicitly forbid the use of generative AI without prior approval. For the RuneScape community, the fallout means that the anticipated Dragon Slayer II trailer will be replaced with a new version that adheres to the studio’s standards.
Jagex has pledged to keep players informed as it refines its processes and works with community creators to deliver a narrative experience that lives up to the legacy of the franchise. In summary, Jagex’s swift removal of the AI‑tainted trailer, its public acknowledgment of procedural lapses, and its commitment to tighter partner vetting illustrate the company’s resolve to protect the artistic authenticity of RuneScape. The studio’s stance serves as a reminder that, while AI can offer powerful efficiencies, the heart of game creation remains a fundamentally human endeavor.