Blizzard open to GenAI while Overwatch team rejects it

Blizzard says it is taking a dev-led approach to generative AI, with a centralized governance team examining how the technology might fit into development. President Johanna Faries said the company wants teams to be able to try tools that spark creativity or remove drudgery, while vetting uses to ensure they are secure, safe and aligned with company values.

Members of the Overwatch team, however, have pushed back. Game director Aaron Keller said the studio is not comfortable putting AI-generated content in front of players and wants Overwatch to remain a “handcrafted universe,” at least for now, even as he acknowledged the space is changing.

As a result, Overwatch is not planning to introduce genAI-created heroes, maps or skins at this time. The debate comes amid reports that Microsoft has been pushing for wider AI use since acquiring Activision Blizzard in 2023, and after Blizzard teams, including those behind Overwatch and Diablo, unionized with concerns about AI replacing artists.