Dark Outlaw Games, a fresh PlayStation studio, has emerged from the remnants of Deviation Games, with developer Jason Blundell at the helm, famous for his work on Call of Duty: Black Ops’ Zombies mode. The team is on the hunt for a concept artist for their inaugural project, but not just any concept artist. A recent job listing on Sony’s website emphasizes the need for “advanced expertise” with generative AI tools as a fundamental requirement.
The listing, first spotted by The Game Post, states, “We are in search of a Senior Concept Artist to join our LA studio, reporting directly to our Art Director. The ideal candidate is proactive, possessing strong skills in digital illustration, 3D modeling, character design, graphic design, experience with generative AI tools, and a deep passion for game development. Help us craft our next AAA title—one that will truly stand out from the rest!” Within the qualifications section, the listing specifies the necessity for “advanced expertise in using generative AI tools such as Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, ChatGPT, or similar platforms.” Additionally, in the duties section, it mentions that one of the concept artist’s responsibilities will be to “Refine and polish 2D artwork created by both human artists and generative AI tools.”
The new job listing at the Sony-owned studio follows a recent GDC 2025 survey revealing that companies are forging ahead with AI tools, regardless of their employees’ opinions on their usage. Concerns surrounding the technology range from ethical dilemmas regarding tools trained on appropriating others’ work to anxieties about potential layoffs as companies capitalize on the hype surrounding generative AI to streamline their workforces. Anecdotally, artists and writers seem to have borne the brunt of the most recent rounds of mass layoffs within the game industry. “I suspect there will be a dual demand in gaming: one for AI-driven innovative experiences and another for handcrafted, thoughtful content,” remarked PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst in a December interview with the BBC. “Striking the right balance between leveraging AI and preserving the human touch will be crucial.” Earlier this year, it was disclosed that Sony had experimented with transforming Horizon Zero Dawn protagonist Aloy into an AI-powered chatbot. Moreover, completed games incorporating AI-generated assets have been obligated to disclose this practice on platforms like Steam. The Call of Duty franchise is frequently criticized by fans for utilizing what seems to be AI-generated cosmetics, player cards, and marketing materials.
