NTE Studio answers AI problems

The development team behind NTE: Neverness to Everness has admitted to using some AI-assisted tools in the development of the open-world action RPG, but not as much as some players might fear. Fans of the game have expressed strong concerns about the use of generative AI in the Neverness to Evernesscreation, but according to the developer, many of these concerns are unfounded.

Neverness to Everness was released worldwide between April 28-29 after less than a week of availability in the developer's home country of China. In just over a week, it has resonated with fans, with a strong Top Critic Average of 75 on OpenCritic, highlighting players' appreciation for its unique modern urban fantasy setting, stylish combat, multi-layered gameplay, and solid opening story.

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NTE developers take AI problems head on

But like many other games released in recent months, Neverness to Everness has faced criticism over the potential use of generative AI tools, with players claiming to have spotted signs of its presence in in-game backgrounds, storefronts and posters, and even facial features during character videos. In response, Hotta Studio and Perfect World Games have issued an official response through the official NTE Twitter account, acknowledges the use of AI-assisted development tools, but only to create “a small number” of backgrounds and other environmental assets. Two specific instances singled out in the developer's announcement are the assets tied to the Clear Skies in Summer arc and the Pink Paw Heist loot game, and the team is already in the process of reviewing and reworking these assets, presumably removing all AI-generated elements from them.

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The developer's post seems to completely deny the use of AI in the creation and design of Neverness to Evernesscharacters, expressing a sense of pride in the members of its creative team and the work they have put forth. “The characters, stories and world you experience are the work of artists, writers and designers,” it clearly states. But that one NTE the team takes its players' concerns seriously and says it will continue to be open to player feedback.

Reactions to the official post have shown mixed feelings regarding the use of generative AI in games. Many fans who have enjoyed Neverness to Everness have so far indicated that they are not bothered by the use of AI as long as it does not affect the employment of members of the development team. Others have taken a harder line, saying they won't play the game as long as AI-generated assets exist, with a few even criticizing the development team's leadership over a perceived lack of pre-launch transparency into its use of AI. In fairness, CEO and producer Yang Lei had revealed the use of AI in the Neverness to Everness before the game's release, saying it would be limited to atmospheric elements and renderings created for reference.

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How the public reacts to this recognition could affect the game's trajectory going forward, as it already appears to be one of the most popular releases of 2026 so far. Many have seen Neverness to Everness as a legitimate competitor to popular HoyoVerse games which Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zeroand while the total number of players has not been revealed, it has posted some very impressive numbers on the streaming platform Twitch, already exceeding 1.5 million hours watched within a day of its launch and boasting a peak concurrent audience of more than 98,000.