Entertainment · Gaming · 6 hrs ago
Creative Assembly apologises for Shogun 2 remaster and investigates AI art
Creative Assembly has apologised for Shogun 2: Complete Edition, a remaster of the strategy game Total War: Shogun 2.
Sega pulled the edition from sale after players complained about technical problems and art that appeared to be AI-upscaled.
Creative Assembly vice president Roger Collum said the release was not developed by the studio and had not received its usual internal reviews and quality checks.
He said the studio had taken its eye off the external development, but accepted that Total War is its franchise and its name is on the game.
The studio is investigating the use of AI-generated art and says it does not use generative AI to make game assets, while allowing AI tools for tasks such as analysis and debugging.
Sega and senior developers are working with the external team on next steps, with more details to come.
The original game's Steam page has been reinstated, while the Complete Edition remains unavailable for purchase.
Sega and Creative Assembly pulled Total War: Shogun 2 Complete Edition from Steam after complaints about technical problems and AI-generated art.
Creative Assembly vice president Roger Collum said the release did not meet the studio’s standards and apologized to players.
Collum said the game was developed externally and was not subject to Creative Assembly’s usual internal reviews and quality assurance.
Creative Assembly said it does not use generative AI to create game assets, and that the situation with the edition is being investigated.
The original game’s Steam page has been reinstated while the companies work on the Complete Edition.
- Who
- Sega and Creative Assembly pulled the edition. Creative Assembly vice president Roger Collum later addressed the release.
- What
- Total War: Shogun 2 Complete Edition was pulled from sale after complaints about technical problems and AI-generated art.
- When
- The edition was pulled last week, according to the articles. Collum addressed the situation on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Steam.
- Why
- Players complained about the edition’s technical problems and AI-generated art.
Players who complained
Creative Assembly
Release quality
Players who complained
Players complained about technical problems and AI-generated art.
Creative Assembly
Collum said the release did not meet the bar and that the situation is being investigated.
Development responsibility
Players who complained
Players raised concerns about the edition’s state.
Creative Assembly
Collum said an external partner developed it, but acknowledged that Creative Assembly took its eyes off the development.
Sega and Creative Assembly pulled the Complete Edition from Steam after complaints about technical problems and AI-generated art.
Roger Collum addressed the release and said a small team of senior developers would work with Sega and the external team on next steps.
Creative Assembly and Sega had reinstated the original game’s Steam page while they worked on the Complete Edition.
- Release
- Total War: Shogun 2 Complete Edition
- Platform
- Steam
- Creative Assembly spokesperson
- Roger Collum, vice president of the Total War division
- External developer
- Not named by Collum; Mataboo Games are listed as co-developers on the Steam page
- Company response
- A small team of senior developers is working with Sega and the external team on next steps
3 sources
Creative Assembly exec pins the blame for the Shogun 2 remaster mess on someone else: 'This was not a Creative Assembly developed game'
Creative Assembly Finally Addresses The Shogun 2 Remaster Disaster By Pointing Fingers
"This was not a Creative Assembly developed game": Total War boss points the finger at external partner for Shogun 2 Complete Edition disaster
What people are saying
This was not a Creative Assembly developed game.
we took our eyes off its external development
At Creative Assembly we do not use generative AI to create game assets, including AI-generated art.
Their safety is our priority.