SNK is facing intense backlash from the gaming community following the release of the Season 2 trailer for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, with fans alleging that the promotional footage is heavily reliant on generative AI. The trailer, which debuted ahead of the season’s January 22 launch, has sparked widespread criticism over its visual quality.
Fans Call Out Alleged AI Usage
Shortly after the trailer went live, the YouTube comment section and social media platforms, including Reddit and the official Fatal Fury Discord, were flooded with accusations. Viewers pointed to specific character models that appear to exhibit the hallmarks of AI-generated content. Many fans expressed frustration that SNK, a company now backed by significant financial resources, would choose to cut corners on production values rather than commissioning human artists.
Financial Backing and Community Frustration
The controversy is exacerbated by SNK’s ownership status. The studio was acquired in 2022 by the Electronic Gaming Development Company, a division of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation. With the backing of Saudi Arabia’s massive sovereign wealth, fans argue that a lack of budget is no excuse for subpar marketing materials. One prominent YouTube commenter remarked, “All that Saudi money and can’t pay someone a couple bucks to make real shit.”
High-Quality Roster Overshadowed
While the aesthetic choices of the trailer have drawn ire, the actual content of Season 2 remains highly anticipated. The roadmap promises six new characters over the next six months, including fan favorites like Kim Jae Hoon, Nightmare Geese, Blue Mary, and Wolfgang Krauser. Despite the excitement for the gameplay additions, the visual controversy has dampened enthusiasm, with one former Discord moderator even stepping down from their role, stating that the use of AI goes against their personal principles.
The Silence from SNK
As of now, SNK has not confirmed or denied the use of generative AI in the trailer, and no official disclosures have been attached to the video. While identifying AI-generated content can be subjective, the overwhelming consensus among the community suggests that something is amiss. This incident marks another point of friction between the developer and its player base, following the divisive decision to include soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo as a playable character in the game.
We have reached out to SNK for clarification regarding the production process of the trailer and will provide updates if a response is received.
