Artificial Intelligence
Ongoing coverage on Artificial Intelligence.
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Hideo Kojima sympathizes with Tom Cruise after Digger flop – people also wrote off Death Stranding without playing it, and he thinks the film is similar to Metal Gear Solid 2
Hideo Kojima drew parallels between the critical reception of Tom Cruise's film Digger and his own game Death Stranding, suggesting both were misunderstood and unfairly labeled. He noted how Digger, like Metal Gear Solid 2, explores future anxieties amplified by AI and social media, and how public discourse often forms opinions without full engagement.
'AI godfather' worries we're creating 'alien beings' with artificial intelligence, with pesky…
Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer in AI, expresses deep concerns about the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, likening current models to 'alien beings' and warning of the need for rapid adaptation. He argues that AI models possess a form of understanding and that humanity has a moral obligation towards them, while also criticizing the tech industry's self-regulation efforts. The article also includes commentary from an expert who questions the notion of AI consciousness and suggests that claims of AI sentience may be a tactic to maintain industry momentum.
"We vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher" because "programming is hard", announce company we're somehow supposed to see as a serious Steam competitor
Epic Games has released a preview of a new version of its launcher, which it claims is faster and more responsive than Steam, using a concept termed "vibe coding" and an "AI-first" approach. The company's CEO, Tim Sweeney, has emphasized a push for "maximum AI acceleration." This new tech stack, rewritten from the ground up, aims to improve load times and system performance, though initial features are light.
Asha Sharma announces Xbox Labs project to "explore new technology," which sure sounds like tinkering with old games through AI
Asha Sharma announced the creation of Xbox Labs, a new R&D initiative focused on exploring emerging technologies like AI for game remixing and rejigging. While Microsoft clarified AI usage won't be mandatory, the initiative aims to turn new ideas into player experiences, potentially by decompiling and rebuilding old games or making new ones more moddable. The article expresses skepticism about the initiative's true goals, linking it to recent layoffs and a focus on existing franchises.
‘We Vibe Coded a New Epic Games Launcher’ – Epic’s New Store App Was Built Using AI
Epic Games has revealed that its new Epic Games Store launcher was developed using artificial intelligence, a move described as 'vibe coding.' This announcement follows earlier reports of an increased focus on AI within the company.
Epic says its new 'vibe coded' Epic Games Store launcher is faster than Steam
Epic Games has released a new preview client for its Epic Games Store launcher, claiming it is significantly faster than Steam. The rebuild, which Epic refers to as 'vibe coded,' features a redesigned library and utilizes AI tools for development. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney is bullish on AI's potential to enhance game development across the company.
VisionQuest's E.D.I.T.H. star brought elements of Tony Stark into her role: "Tony's legacy is in…
Emily Hampshire, who voices E.D.I.T.H. in VisionQuest, discusses bringing the character to life and her connection to Tony Stark's legacy. Hampshire explains that E.D.I.T.H.'s desire to be a hero and her chaotic sense of fun, inspired by Tony Stark, informed her portrayal. The actor also noted the difference between E.D.I.T.H. at work in Spider-Man: Far From Home and her more liberated persona in VisionQuest.
GTA 6 was delayed partially because the amount of NPCs was 'horrifying' and required a dedicated studio full…
Grand Theft Auto 6 experienced a delay to November due to the 'horrifying' number of NPCs required for its detailed world, necessitating the creation of a dedicated studio. Developers Rob Nelson and Phil Hooker discussed how the scope led to a date shift to ensure the game's quality. The article also touches on the industry's reliance on AI versus human writers for background details.
OpenAI employee arrested for allegedly using AI and toilet paper to record confidential meetings - FBI director Kash Patel jumps at the chance to say AI companies are 'essential' for national security
An OpenAI engineer, Abdulrahman Alfozan, has been arrested for allegedly using an AI-assisted device hidden in toilet paper to record confidential meetings about the company's 'super intelligence' technology. The FBI and Department of Justice are treating the case as a matter of national security, emphasizing the importance of protecting AI innovation.
Battlefield 6 Skins With Way Too Many Pistols and Spelling Errors Spark AI Accusations
Battlefield 6 has faced criticism from players regarding new character skins in its latest battle pass. The skins reportedly feature design flaws, including an excessive number of pistols and spelling errors, leading to accusations of AI involvement in their creation.
Dig Dug & Mario Bros - Two Arcade classics ported over to the Amiga via AI by TjLaZer
Developer TjLaZer has released Amiga ports of the arcade classics Dig Dug and Mario Bros., utilizing modern AI tools in their development. These conversions aim to replicate the original arcade experiences with accurate graphics, sound, and gameplay mechanics, targeting 60fps performance on various Amiga models.
"My idea of a Netflix for games doesn’t work": Garry's Mod creator says struggling spiritual successor S&box will go free to play as part of major rethink
Facepunch Studios founder Garry Newman announced that the struggling game development platform S&box will go free-to-play later this year as part of a major rethink. Newman expressed embarrassment over the game's poor reviews and acknowledged that its "Netflix for games" approach to discovery was not working, shifting focus to player experience and improving the core sandbox game.
Former game-seller Zavvi enters administration again and "is unable to fulfil any outstanding orders or pre-orders"
Former game retailer Zavvi has entered administration for the second time, ceasing all trading and stating it cannot fulfill outstanding orders or pre-orders. Customers who have paid for undelivered goods are advised to contact their payment providers. Separately, Microsoft's Xbox division has launched Xbox Labs, a new initiative led by Scott Van Vliet to explore emerging trends in game development and player experiences, particularly in the context of rapid game decompilation and remixing, though it avoids explicit mention of AI.
Microsoft reveals Xbox Labs and it's desperately pretending it's not about AI
Microsoft has announced the formation of Xbox Labs, a new division focused on experimenting with 'emerging ideas' in response to AI-driven game modding and browser-based games. Led by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who previously worked on AI at Microsoft, the division aims to explore new possibilities in game accessibility and player creation without explicitly mentioning generative AI. The initiative, headed by CTO Scott Van Vliet, is intended to leverage Xbox's expertise in game development to shape future technologies, though the article expresses skepticism about the venture's tangible outcomes and potential monetization.
Xbox CEO reportedly warns firm will "not survive" if it only relies on existing franchises
Xbox boss Asha Sharma reportedly warned that the company will not survive if it solely relies on existing franchises, emphasizing the need for new intellectual property to reach new audiences. This comes amid recent cancellations of new IP projects like Everwild and Project Mara, and proposed studio closures. Sharma also noted that Xbox is beginning to see growth after a period of decline and announced the creation of Xbox Labs to test new ideas and technologies.
Evening Reading - October 13, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers upcoming game releases like Mina the Hollower and Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, a review of Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, and news regarding F-Zero GX cheat codes and Capcom's Resident Evil remakes on Nintendo Switch. The article also touches on Epic Games' AI pivot, Apple's new home entertainment products, and the passing of FPS level designer Richard Gray.
Games Inbox: What video game console is best to get for Christmas?
Readers debate which console to purchase for Christmas, weighing the merits of the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. Discussions touch on upcoming games like Grand Theft Auto 6 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, alongside opinions on Gears of War: E-Day and concerns about AI in game development.
After 8 years, Ultima creator says his MMO Shroud of the Avatar finally has "zero bugs" thanks to AI
Richard Garriott, creator of Ultima, claims his MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar now has zero bugs thanks to the implementation of AI in its development process. Garriott stated that AI has significantly reduced development time and costs by fixing bugs rapidly, a stark contrast to the game's previous persistent bug issues. He acknowledges the ethical concerns surrounding AI in game development but believes its use is crucial for efficiency.
Xbox Labs is the company’s response to recent game mods and decompilations
Xbox has launched Xbox Labs, a new initiative focused on exploring emerging technologies like AI for game development and player experiences. This comes in response to the growing trend of AI-powered game mods and decompilations, which have enabled games like Call of Duty: Black Ops and Minecraft to run in browsers or be combined with other titles.
Xbox announces Xbox Labs, a new initiative to trial emerging ideas and "new technology"
Xbox has announced the creation of Xbox Labs, a new internal unit focused on testing emerging ideas and new technologies, with a particular emphasis on user feedback. Led by CEO Asha Sharma, the initiative aims to rapidly develop and iterate on tools, products, and features, potentially leveraging AI and other advancements to enhance game accessibility and creation.
