Neverness to Everness: AI controversies and their impact on players

In brief

• Neverness to Everness, a gacha game from Hotta Games, has come under fire for using AI-generated images, including a seahorse with a visible watermark.
• The game, which launched in August 2026, has already seen major financial success, but the latest revelations could damage the developer’s reputation.
• Players and critics are now questioning how these controversies will affect trust in the game and its developer.

GAME-scanner analysis

The latest update to Neverness to Everness has sparked a wave of criticism, especially after developers reportedly forgot to remove a watermark from an AI tool on a seahorse image. This raises questions about the integrity of Hotta Games’ creative process. Despite earlier claims that the game was built on human creativity, it now appears that AI-generated assets may play a larger role than previously acknowledged. That could affect not only how players view the game, but also fuel the broader debate over AI use in the gaming industry.

What does this mean for players?

For players, this situation could lead to reduced trust in the developer and in the game’s overall quality. If players feel that AI-generated content is replacing human creativity, it may affect their engagement and willingness to make in-game purchases. The backlash could also influence future updates and the direction Hotta Games takes with its development strategy.

Related GAME-scanner articles