NEVERNESS TO EVERNESS (NTE) FACES AI ARTWORK CONTROVERSY

The supernatural open-world gacha game, Neverness to Everness (NTE), has come under heavy fire from the gaming community just days after its April 29, 2026 launch. Developer Hotta Studio is currently facing allegations that generative AI was used to create several in-game assets, including background art that bears a striking resemblance to popular anime films.

1. THE “WEATHERING WITH YOU” ALLEGATIONS

The controversy reached a boiling point when players noticed a billboard in the futuristic city of Hethereau. The video playing on the billboard appeared to feature scenes nearly identical to the aesthetic of Makoto Shinkai’s Weathering With You.

• Suspected Filtering: Community members allege that original frames from the movie were processed through an AI filter to create “new” assets for the game.
• Visual Inconsistencies: Other flagged assets include background wall art and a vintage TV clip that show common AI “hallucinations,” such as blended limbs, nonsensical architecture, and strange texture artifacts.

2. HOTTA STUDIO’S OFFICIAL RESPONSE

In a statement released on May 7, 2026, Hotta Studio addressed the growing backlash and clarified their development process.

• Confirmation of AI Tools: The studio admitted that “AI-assisted tools” were used for a limited number of environmental and background assets.
• Human-Made Core Content: The developers maintain that all core gameplay elements, including character designs, main story writing, and 2D character portraits, were created by human artists.
• Commitment to Reworks: To appease the community, Hotta Studio has pledged to review and “rework” all assets that have been flagged as problematic.

3. COLLABORATOR BACKLASH AND PARTNERSHIP LOSSES

The alleged use of AI has had immediate consequences for the game’s marketing and public relations.

• Ironmouse Sponsorship Cancellation: The popular VTuber Ironmouse officially cut ties with NTE on May 4. She stated that her team was previously assured the game contained “literally no AI,” leading her to uninstall the game and cancel all promotional streams.
• Voice Actor Statements: Voice actor Meggie-Elise (known as the voice of the character Ananta) posted a public stance against the use of generative AI in creative industries, emphasizing the need for honesty and artistic integrity in game development.

4. COMPARISONS IN CHARACTER DESIGN

While the developers deny using AI for characters, some fans remain skeptical, pointing out similarities between NTE characters and those from other titles.

• Skia: Often compared to Lycaon from Zenless Zone Zero.
• JiuYuan: Noted for having a similar aesthetic to Herta from Honkai: Star Rail.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What is Neverness to Everness (NTE)?

NTE is a supernatural open-world RPG developed by Hotta Studio (the creators of Tower of Fantasy). It features urban exploration, car customization, and gacha-based character collection.

Did Hotta Studio admit to using AI?

Yes. On May 7, 2026, the studio admitted to using AI-assisted tools for specific background and environmental assets, though they claim character designs remain 100% human-made.

Why are people comparing it to “Weathering With You”?

Players discovered in-game billboard art that looks nearly identical to scenes from the anime movie Weathering With You, leading to accusations that the studio “traced” or “filtered” existing anime frames using AI.

Who is Ananta in NTE?

Ananta is a key character in the game, voiced by Meggie-Elise. The character has become a focal point of discussion following the voice actor’s public comments regarding the AI controversy.

Can I still play Neverness to Everness?

Yes, the game is currently live. However, the developers are in the process of patching and replacing the controversial assets to address player feedback.

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