A promotional image for the shooter that was accidentally shared has raised suspicions of AI use due to strangely distorted weapons. Activision responds immediately.
According to the Call of Duty social media team, they accidentally posted an internal marketing image for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Fans now suspect that AI generation was involved.
The rendered image was published on the shooter series’ X account and showed a soldier moving toward the camera—it was intended to promote the shooter’s appearance at gamescom.
However, fans noticed that the soldier’s weapon looked strangely distorted, which could suggest the use of AI. Shortly thereafter, the post was deleted.
NEW MW4 IMAGE pic.twitter.com/SBIuhXIkYY
— Forward (@ForwardLeaks) August 18, 2026
Statement from Activision and previous use of AI
“This morning, an image was accidentally posted on one of our Call of Duty accounts,”the company stated in a later post. “It contained a preliminary render from a marketing style guide. The image was only intended as a placeholder and is not from the game. We have removed it.”
It is believed that Activision uses AI to design concepts for marketing materials. Since AI tools have been used in the past—including for the production of in-game assets—this wouldn’t come as a big surprise.
Game content created with AI includes, for example, Calling Cards in Black Ops 7, which drew criticism last year. At the time, the publisher stated: “Like so many companies worldwide, we use a variety of digital tools, including AI tools. We want to give our teams the power and support they need to deliver the best possible gaming experience to our players. Our creative process remains in the hands of the talented people in our studios.”
Upcoming beta phase for Modern Warfare 4
This coming weekend, the first beta phase for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will begin. Fans will certainly be keeping an eye out for any AI-related content during this time. A PC guide was also released in advance so you can prepare for the strict anti-cheat rules.
