Ironmouse claims that Hotta Studios reassured her that NTE does not have generative AI before she signed a contract with them.
Popular VTuber Ironmouse has confirmed she is cutting ties with newly-released gacha title Neverness to Everness (NTE), citing concerns over alleged generative AI use in the game’s content.
The announcement was made during a livestream on 4 May, 2026, just days after the game’s global launch on 29 April. The Vtuber mentioned that this was the “fastest uninstall” of her life, stating that the use of generative AI is “so blatant.”
Her decision follows a wave of viral posts on X, where players have been debating claims that the game is “full of generative AI”. Allegations range from promotional materials to in-game assets. One widely shared-example includes a billboard video that appears to closely mirror scenes from Weathering with You, though some fans argue it could be a deliberate homage rather than AI-generated work.
Why did Ironmouse drop Neverness to Everness?
In her livestream, Ironmouse explained that she takes a firm stance against AI-generated content in sponsored work, stating:
“Whenever I get an offer for a sponsor[ship] or something, I always tell the people ‘can you make sure double, triple, quadruple-check that this does not have AI in it. I will not accept [it] if it does,” she said in the livestream. “And then, they assured me ‘no, don’t worry, you’re good, it’s fine.’…and then I find out, it’s not fine?”
She went on to express frustration at what she believes were misleading assurances. “Because it’s like one thing to say, ‘oh no, it doesn’t’ or something like ‘oh no we took it out,’” she said, before pointing out that what she saw didn’t line up with those claims.
“There were certain things that I saw, where it's just like, ‘Bro, you cannot sit here and lie and say that this is not it,’ because this is what it is! Like, you can't lie!” Clearly upset, she added: “What do you think? I don't have eyes?!”
Is Ironmouse going to get sued for not doing her obligations for NTE?
Ironmouse also revealed that she had already signed a contract with Hotta Studios for Neverness to Everness that should make her legally obligated to fulfil certain parts of the deal. However, according to her, the agreement included a specific clause against generative AI use, or at least. specifically told “her people” that she won’t sign if there’s AI in the game.
Despite that, she made it clear she has no intention of continuing with the game. “I don't give a f*** if it's not dead or not. I don't care!” she said, referring to people saying the game isn’t dead. She added that if others wanted to keep playing it, it’s up to them, but her stance is clear. “I'm not going to [...] play it! If you want to play it, go ahead. Go ahead, bro."
Why is Neverness to Everness (NTE) under fire?
The controversy lands at a crucial moment for NTE, which only launched on 29 April and is still in its early days of building a player base. Aside from the Weathering with You incident, many other fans pointed out incidents where generative-AI seems to be clearly used, stealing assets from other existing artwork.
Discussions around AI use in games, particularly in art, animation, and promotional assets, have been a growing flashpoint across the community, and this situation has only added fuel to that debate. And it's not only Ironmouse who's taking a stand against AI. Voice actor Meggie Elise also spoke out, saying that if this isn't addressed, she will drop the work she's doing for the game:
As of writing, Hotta Studios has not issued any official statement addressing the allegations surrounding generative AI.
