The Alters accused of using AI for text-based outputs

Players say 11 Bit Studios allegedly used AI for translations and on-screen text.

Players have accused The Alters developer 11 Bit Studios for allegedly using AI in its translations and for on-screen text.

EarthlingKira started speculation on Reddit over a week ago, posting a screenshot that appears to have an AI prompt before scientific jargon (seen above).

“Sure, here’s a revised version focusing purely on scientific and astronomical data,” the text in question reads.

“The Steam Store Page does not declare any AI usage so I was wondering [if The Alters uses a little bit of AI],” the user wrote alongside the image. “Or maybe it’s just in-lore humor, meaning the captain was too lazy to write their own observations down?”

Another post, this time on Steam, alleges that, “Players found literal AI prompts left in the Portuguese translation with instructions like ‘Translate the following text from English to Brazilian Portuguese’.

“This isn’t just unprofessional – it’s straight up disrespectful to players paying full price for this game,” that user concluded.

A screenshot of the Portuguese translation prompt was posted to LinkedIn.

There, Korean translator Handong Ryu added, “I was responsible for translating the vast majority of the Korean version of The Alters. Unfortunately, the same issue exists in the Korean version as well, which makes it more likely that the second scenario you mentioned is closer to the truth. While no AI prompt has been exposed, I can confirm that the same section of the Korean localisation shows clear signs of having been run through an LLM without proper editing.

“There has been significant backlash from the Korean gaming community, and it has been really disheartening to witness, especially since the criticism stems from a part of the game I had no control over.”

In my review of The Alters, I said the title was “unique, poignant, and one that will stick with you,” also adding that I had it on my GOTY contender list.