Capcom producer Masato Kumazawa stated that the company views the controversy surrounding the DLSS 5 AI version of Grace Ashcroft as a “positive,” indicating strong fan investment in the original character design. Kumazawa elaborated during an interview with Eurogamer, pointing out that the negative feedback confirmed that fans preferred Grace’s initial portrayal in the game Resident Evil Requiem, which debuted in February.
The backlash emerged primarily after Nvidia’s March showcase, which featured an altered AI version of Grace. Many fans criticized the new design, comparing it to common AI filters on social media apps. One fan commented that the design was “horrendous,” indicating a widespread dissatisfaction with the changes.
According to Kumazawa, the enthusiasm shown for Grace’s original design is a sign that it resonated well with players. He remarked, “The fact a lot of players commented they really liked the original design of Grace and didn’t want to see it changed was a positive… it meant we got the design right.” He did not disclose whether Capcom had any involvement in the DLSS 5 showcase.
Capcom developers reportedly were unaware that Resident Evil Requiem would be featured in the Nvidia presentation before its announcement. While other titles like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion and Hogwarts Legacy were also highlighted, Grace Ashcroft was noted as a focal point of the backlash.
In light of the negative reception, some developers at Bethesda acknowledged the criticisms. They indicated that artists would have more control over the technology moving forward to prevent similar incidents. Capcom confirmed its intention to integrate AI into game development, though it will avoid generative AI, according to Kumazawa. He reassured fans that an AI-generated makeover for Grace Ashcroft is unlikely in the near future.
