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Sora 2 Limitations You Must Plan Around in 2025

September 20, 2025 - 9 min read

A candid look at the technical, legal, and operational constraints that still shape Sora 2 projects-and how to mitigate them.

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Output Variability and Consistency Gaps

Even with the 2.1 physics upgrade, Sora 2 can drift between iterations. Subtle changes in lighting or expression may appear despite locked parameters. If you need frame-to-frame continuity-think episodic narratives or training modules-budget time for extra renders and use reference frames aggressively. Tag key shots with Frame Pin so the engine protects them during revisions.

Character persistence across multiple videos still requires careful prompt engineering. Reuse character bios, upload portrait references, and enable "Identity Lock" in beta. Without these steps, you risk characters morphing between campaigns.

Complex Text and Typography Handling

Sora 2 handles lower thirds and short CTA overlays well, but it still struggles with long-form on-screen text, especially in non-Latin scripts. If typography is mission-critical-like educational subtitles or compliance disclosures-plan to add them in post-production using After Effects or a templating system in Mobbi.ai. Turn off "Auto Typography" to avoid double-rendered captions.

For multilingual campaigns, render without text, then localize with dedicated motion graphics tools. This keeps copy accurate and ensures accessibility compliance.

Audio Limitations and Licensing

Sora 2's auto-score is impressive but generic. Licensed music still delivers higher emotional impact. Remember that imported tracks must include sync rights for AI-generated visuals. Keep a spreadsheet of licenses, expiration dates, and usage caps so you do not violate agreements.

Voice cloning is restricted. You must submit proof of consent for real voices, and synthetic voices from OpenAI Voice come with usage guidelines. For celebrity-style voices, expect denials unless you provide ironclad legal clearance.

Rendering Time and GPU Budgets

High-resolution renders chew through credits quickly. A 30-second 4K clip can take 25-40 minutes to process, especially during peak hours. Use draft mode (720p) to validate composition before committing to final runs. Schedule heavy renders during off-peak windows-late evenings in your region often queue faster.

Monitor the new Usage Dashboard weekly. Set alerts for sudden spikes so you can investigate workflow inefficiencies or unauthorized use.

Policy Constraints and Brand Safety

Sora 2 enforces strict rules against political persuasion, realistic depictions of public figures, and medical claims without substantiation. Content flagged by the policy engine is logged and reviewed by humans, which can delay campaigns. Align with legal early, especially for regulated industries like finance or healthcare.

Watermark removal requires enterprise approval and adherence to disclosure guidelines. Do not attempt to strip watermarks manually; it violates terms and risks account suspension.

Integration Friction

While the API is robust, exporting into legacy DAM systems or on-prem storage still takes custom work. Budget engineering hours to map metadata, authentication, and file naming conventions. Mobbi.ai's connector speeds this up, but custom pipelines may require middleware.

If you rely on real-time personalization (dynamic creative optimization), note that Sora 2 currently generates batch assets. It does not yet support on-the-fly variations tied to user behavior.

Ethical and Perception Risks

Audiences are increasingly savvy about AI-generated media. Without transparent disclosure and authentic storytelling, you risk backlash or distrust. Incorporate behind-the-scenes content, explain your creative process, and focus on narratives that celebrate human talent augmented by AI.

Bias remains a concern. Diverse casting prompts help, but you still need human review to ensure representations align with your brand values. Build bias audits into your QA checklist.

Final Thoughts

Sora 2 is powerful, but it is not magic. Production teams that acknowledge and plan around its limitations move faster and avoid embarrassing missteps. Use draft renders, reference frames, post-production typography, and proactive legal reviews to keep campaigns on schedule.

Treat every limitation as an opportunity to differentiate. Brands that communicate responsibly and respect the boundaries build trust even as they push creative innovation.

Work With Mobbi.ai

Need a risk mitigation playbook for your Sora 2 rollout? Mobbi.ai offers compliance workshops that keep your campaigns on track.

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