Key Facts
- ā The Windchill cosmetic pack in Battlefield 6 costs 900 Battlefield Coins and includes the Winter Warning sticker with a double-barreled M4A1.
- ā Reddit thread by Willcario criticizing the sticker received 4,600 upvotes.
- ā Rebecka Coutaz stated generative AI is used in preparatory stages but not in player-facing content for Battlefield 6.
- ā EA's CEO Andrew Wilson described AI as at the core of the business.
- ā Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 includes a disclosure about using generative AI for some in-game assets.
Quick Summary
Battlefield 6 enthusiasts have raised alarms over what appears to be an AI-generated sticker in the game's in-game store, depicting an M4A1 rifle with two barrels. The item, part of the Windchill cosmetic pack priced at 900 Battlefield Coins, includes a player card sticker named Winter Warning, where the soldier's hand position and scope alignment also seem off.
Reddit user Willcario sparked the discussion in a thread garnering 4,600 upvotes, calling for the removal of what he termed low-quality AI-generated content. This backlash echoes recent generative AI controversies in rival title Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, where players criticized similar assets.
While EA has not commented, past statements from DICE general manager Rebecka Coutaz indicated no generative AI would appear in player-facing content, though it aids preparatory stages. The incident underscores broader industry pressures on publishers like EA to leverage AI for efficiency, as noted in reports on the company's strategy under new ownership.
The Sticker Controversy in Battlefield 6
Battlefield 6 players first noticed the questionable sticker while browsing the in-game store. The Windchill cosmetic pack contains six items, including the Winter Warning player card sticker that features the anomalous M4A1 design.
The depiction shows the rifle with two barrels, an impossibility in real weaponry, alongside misaligned hand positions and scope elements. Fans quickly labeled it as generative AI output, drawing comparisons to low-effort digital artifacts.
- The pack requires 900 Battlefield Coins to purchase.
- The sticker serves as a cosmetic player card enhancement.
- Community scrutiny focused on visual inconsistencies typical of AI generation.
This discovery has fueled demands for greater transparency in cosmetic content creation.
"Remove this AI s**t from the store"
ā Willcario, Redditor
Fan Backlash and Community Response
Reddit user Willcario initiated a viral thread titled "Remove this AI s**t from the store," which received 4,600 upvotes. In the post, Willcario expressed frustration over the perceived quality drop, stating, āTwo barrels on the M4A1, sure. I would literally prefer to have no sticker than some low quality AI generated garbage. You can look at BO7 and see how many favors AI generated rewards won with them.ā
Battlefield 6 News on Twitter amplified the issue with a post questioning if the image looked AI-generated, shared on December 21, 2025. Fans have since combed through store items for similar signs of AI involvement.
The outcry reflects wider discontent with publishers prioritizing speed over craftsmanship in cosmetic development. Community forums buzz with calls to boycott such packs until verification processes improve.
- Thread upvotes highlight strong player sentiment.
- Social media posts have driven further visibility.
- Comparisons to past games underscore recurring AI pitfalls.
EA and DICE's Position on Generative AI
EA CEO Andrew Wilson has positioned generative AI at āthe very core of its business,ā signaling heavy investment even before the company's $55 billion privatization. New owners reportedly bet on AI to cut costs and accelerate development for higher profits.
In October, Rebecka Coutaz, general manager of DICE in Sweden and Criterion in the UKānow under Battlefield Studiosāstated players wouldnāt see anything made by generative AI in Battlefield 6. Coutaz described AI as āvery seducingā but noted no current integration into daily workflows, clarifying its use in preparatory stages "to allow more time and more space to be creative."
EA has yet to address the specific sticker allegations. The Battlefield 6 Steam page lacks any AI content disclosure, unlike competitors.
This contrast between statements and apparent implementation has intensified fan skepticism toward EA's AI commitments.
Industry-Wide Generative AI Debates
The Battlefield 6 incident mirrors controversies in Call of Duty, including the six-fingered zombie Santa bundle and AI-generated calling cards styled after Studio Ghibli. Activision added an āAI generated content disclosureā to the Black Ops 6 Steam page following Valve's rules update.
Last month, Activision responded to outcry over generative AI art in Black Ops 7, with the Steam page now stating: "Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets." Earlier this year, similar complaints targeted zombie assets.
- Call of Duty faced multiple AI backlash instances in recent years.
- Valve's policy changes prompted disclosures from publishers.
- Player complaints often center on stylistic inconsistencies like Ghibli influences.
Beyond shooters, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lost a Game of the Year award from The Indie Game Awards due to AI use. Larian Studios, behind Baldurās Gate 3, plans to address AI concerns in upcoming Divinity title amid online backlash.
These events illustrate the tension between AI's efficiency gains and risks of alienating creative communities. Publishers face mounting pressure to balance innovation with authenticity, potentially reshaping content policies across the sector.
In conclusion, the Battlefield 6 sticker saga exemplifies how generative AI's rapid adoption is testing player trust and developer promises, urging the industry toward clearer guidelines and disclosures to mitigate future disputes.
"AI is at the very core of its business"
ā Andrew Wilson, EA CEO
"is very seducing"
ā Rebecka Coutaz, DICE General Manager
"to allow more time and more space to be creative"
ā Rebecka Coutaz, DICE General Manager
"Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets"
ā Activision, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Steam Page
