Riot Games, the developer behind the global hit League of Legends, is facing a wave of criticism after releasing an AI-generated trailer for League of Legends: Wild Rift in China. The backlash has prompted a public response from Executive Producer David Xu, who acknowledged the misstep and vowed to uphold better quality standards.
Wild Rift, the mobile adaptation of Riot’s iconic PC MOBA, celebrated its third anniversary this week. As part of the celebrations, Riot China released a promotional trailer showcasing characters such as Aurora, Jinx, Seraphine, Ezreal, and Yasuo. The video was originally shared on Chinese social media platform Weibo, but quickly spread across Western platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where it drew widespread condemnation.
Fans criticized the trailer for its overuse of AI-generated imagery and music, comparing it unfavourably to previous League of Legends content such as traditional animated trailers and the critically acclaimed Netflix series Arcane. Many pointed out jarring visuals, stiff character animations, and lifeless facial expressions. Some characters were described as resembling Pixar-inspired designs gone wrong.
Critics argued that the AI-created trailer lacked the emotional depth and artistic integrity of earlier works. The accompanying music also came under fire, with users speculating that the lyrics were AI-generated as well, calling them “soulless” and “uninspired.”
Beyond artistic concerns, the use of AI raised ethical issues. Players voiced fears about the impact of AI on creative jobs in the gaming industry, especially at a time when studios across the globe are undergoing restructuring and layoffs.
Responding to the controversy, David Xu posted a statement on X:
“Hey folks, yesterday we posted a creator-made video on our official Weibo channel that, frankly, did not hit the mark. When we post content on our official channels, it’s on us to maintain a high quality bar and be clear about where it came from. Thank you for all the feedback—we can and will do better.”
However, fans were quick to challenge the statement’s phrasing. One user noted, “‘Creator-made’ implies it was crafted by a person, not a machine.” Another added, “Saying it ‘didn’t hit the mark’ feels like a huge understatement. The fact that this got greenlit at all shows something’s off.”
Despite the trailer being deleted from official channels, copies continue to circulate online, further fuelling debate about AI in game development and promotional content.
This incident is the latest in a growing conversation within the gaming industry regarding the balance between technology and human creativity. While AI offers potential for innovation, many fans and developers remain wary of its broader implications—particularly when it comes at the cost of originality, authenticity, and livelihoods.
