Jagex, the studio behind the long‑running MMORPG RuneScape, has publicly responded to the discovery that a trailer for the Dragon Slayer II quest in RuneScape 3 was created with the help of generative artificial intelligence. The trailer, which debuted at RuneFest, quickly attracted attention after members of the community spotted several unmistakable AI‑generated elements, such as a hand with six fingers and a pair of medieval‑style boots that bore a striking resemblance to modern Air Jordan sneakers.
The alert was first raised by Eurogamer and subsequently amplified on Reddit, where users dissected frame‑by‑frame screenshots and pointed out the tell‑tale signs of AI manipulation. In reaction, Jagex issued a statement confirming that the piece of promotional material had been produced by an external vendor that had explicitly assured the company that no generative‑AI tools would be employed. Upon learning that this assurance had been broken, Jagex removed the trailer from all official channels and launched an internal investigation. "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 generative AI have emerged from partners we trusted, and it underscores a weakness in our own processes that we must address." The company went on to explain that, immediately after RuneFest, it would be overhauling its review and approval procedures. Jagex plans to collaborate directly with community creators to ensure that the narrative of Dragon Slayer II is delivered to a standard that reflects the significance of the update.
By commissioning work from trusted members of the fan base, Jagex hopes to regain control over the artistic direction and avoid future reliance on third‑party vendors whose internal safeguards may be insufficient. Jagex also referenced a separate controversy involving the competitive‑gaming organization and lifestyle brand 100 Thieves.
In that case, generative‑AI elements were discovered in a joint marketing effort, prompting the studio to reiterate its frustration and anger. "We share your outrage," the statement read. "We would never have approved AI‑generated designs.
We do not replace the artists and developers who build our games with generative AI, we do not embed it in our marketing, and we will not allow it in merchandising or partner collaborations." The developer emphasized that the human talent behind RuneScape—and all of Jagex's titles—is the core of its identity. "RuneScape, like every game we produce, is the result of skilled people, and that human craftsmanship and creativity are immensely valuable to us," the company asserted. Earlier in the year, James Dobrowski, Jagex’s Senior Vice President of Product, told GamesIndustry.biz that the studio has a firm policy prohibiting generative AI from appearing in any player‑facing asset.
"We have 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 experience itself," he explained. Dobrowski clarified that Jagex is open to using AI in limited, non‑creative contexts, such as improving internal tooling efficiency.
"We are exploring how AI can streamline workflows and make our staff’s jobs easier, ultimately helping us produce better content. However, we do not want AI to drive the creative decisions that define our games," he said. To enforce this stance, Jagex has begun external audits and is holding conversations with all of its external partners. The goal is to guarantee that no AI‑generated material slips through the cracks and ends up in the final product or promotional assets.
"That commitment is so strong that we are now conducting an audit and engaging in dialogue with the various external partners who work with us to ensure that no AI is being used in inappropriate ways in any of their work that might filter through to the end game," Dobrowski added. In summary, Jagex’s response to the AI‑tainted trailer involves three key actions: pulling the offending content, revamping its partner‑review processes, and tightening oversight through audits and direct community collaboration. The company’s messaging makes clear that while it may experiment with AI for efficiency gains behind the scenes, it draws a hard line at allowing the technology to replace the artistic talent that has defined RuneScape for decades. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for other game studios navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI, highlighting the importance of robust contractual safeguards and vigilant internal controls to protect the integrity of creative work.