Artificial Intelligence
Ongoing coverage on Artificial Intelligence.
Latest coverage
"A creative idea can save more money than AI can right now" – Glen Schofield on his retirement, Callisto Protocol's development, and the state of AAA
Veteran developer Glen Schofield discusses his retirement from game development, citing frustrations with AAA development costs and management decisions at Krafton during The Callisto Protocol's creation. He expresses a preference for smaller teams and creative-driven projects, and sees potential in AI as a creative tool rather than just a cost-saving measure.
Now we know the prices of the new RTX Spark laptops and they're as expensive as I'm sure you feared
Nvidia's new RTX Spark laptops, designed for local AI processing, are launching with prices ranging from $2,600 to $7,000 due to high memory requirements. The high cost and un-upgradeable unified memory configurations make the entry-level models difficult to justify compared to existing hardware, though higher-end configurations offer more substantial memory pools.
Capcom Clarifies Stance on AI After RE Engine Conference Comments
Capcom has clarified its position on artificial intelligence and its future use of the RE Engine. The developer provided these clarifications in an exclusive interview with IGN.
Google announces Playground, an AI game generation platform
Google has announced Playground, a new platform that utilizes AI to generate playable video games based on user prompts. The platform handles all aspects of game creation, including programming, artwork, and imagery. Games can be kept private, shared with friends, or published to a public gallery, with future integration of Unity Spark tools planned.
Unity unveils Unity Spark, an prompt-based tool for Google's AI games platform
Unity has partnered with Google to introduce Unity Spark, a new AI-powered tool for Google's Playground platform that allows developers to create games using text prompts instead of traditional coding. Unity CEO Matthew Bromberg emphasized that Spark is designed to enable creative expression and build unique interactive experiences, connecting directly to the Unity Asset Store for high-quality assets. The announcement comes amidst ongoing debate and concern within the game industry regarding the use and impact of generative AI.
Someone Used AI to Make Minecraft Playable Inside Twitter With Working Multiplayer, and Immediately Sold Sponsorships via Crypto
An individual has successfully created a version of Minecraft that is playable within X (formerly Twitter), featuring functional multiplayer capabilities. This AI-driven clone was immediately used to sell sponsorships via cryptocurrency.
New Sony patent proposes using AI to alter boss fights in real time, and now I'm having nightmares about a totally…
Sony has patented an AI system that could dynamically alter boss fights in real-time based on player performance. While the technology could lead to more realistic NPC interactions, the article expresses concern about its potential to disrupt the learning and satisfaction derived from challenging encounters, particularly in games like Elden Ring.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 boss says using AI to replace devs is a "fundamentally flawed idea," but admits it could help us get "bigger games for the same cost"
Martin Klima, CEO of Warhorse Studios, believes using AI to replace game developers is a flawed concept, stating that AI should be viewed as a tool to enhance efficiency rather than a replacement for creative processes. While not reducing costs, AI could enable the creation of larger games for the same budget, a sentiment echoed by Hideo Kojima.
D&D and Magic The Gathering developers unionize, allege Wizards of the Coast is pushing "adoption of LLMs and…
Developers behind Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering have unionized under United Wizards of the Coast - CWA, demanding voluntary recognition and protections against the company's push for AI adoption. The union cites leadership's disregard for team desires regarding LLMs and generative AI. Wizards of the Coast has until October 13 to respond to the union's request.
Cancelled MMO spin-off Borderlands Online is playable once again, and the team behind the unofficial project thankfully didn't use any genAI to get it running
A cancelled free-to-play MMORPG spin-off of Borderlands, Borderlands Online, has been made playable again by a team of modders. The project, originally planned for release in China, was found as a build a year ago and has now been translated to English and made functional. The team emphasized their decision to use the project now due to concerns about the increasing power of AI in unofficial game development.
Warhorse co-founder believes 'AI is not a get out of jail free card' and that execs have a 'simplified mental model' of what it means for games
Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima believes that executives have an oversimplified view of artificial intelligence's role in game development, stating it's not a cost-saving solution. He argues that AI will augment human developers to create larger games rather than replace them, driven by player demand for more content.
Sega won't "entrust the creative aspect of games to AI," but is using tech to "improve efficiency" in other departments
Sega will not entrust the creative aspects of game development to AI, but is using the technology to improve efficiency in other departments like publishing and business idea generation. The company has established a Generative AI Committee and Task Force to develop in-house tools. Separately, the South Australian Film Corporation has doubled its Digital Games Fund to $1 million to support local game development across various stages.
Skyrim modder forgoes trend of AI-powered crossovers, brings Elden Ring's combat to the RPG himself and earns rave…
A modder has successfully integrated Elden Ring's combat mechanics into The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, allowing players to experience FromSoftware's challenging combat style within Bethesda's RPG. This mod, created using the Rust programming language, is distinct from AI-generated crossovers and has been met with enthusiastic reception from fans.
What Makes a Game Interactive? Mario vs Lain vs AI
This analysis explores the definition of interactivity in video games, contrasting the direct physical input of Super Mario Bros. with the cognitive friction of Serial Experiments Lain. It argues that true interactivity lies in the player's agency and the push-and-pull relationship with the media, rather than mere convenience or information overload, a concept highlighted by Nintendo's historical approach and contrasted with modern predictive media and AI.
Evening Reading - October 5, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including DLC for Warhammer 3, a review of Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and community-driven content in World of Warcraft. It also touches on potential TV and movie adaptations for ARC Raiders and The Finals, and the use of AI in game development by Capcom.
City of Heroes Homecoming offers a deep-dive into why enemies run – and what it’s doing to address it
The Homecoming development team for City of Heroes is addressing enemy AI behavior, specifically why enemies flee combat. Changes in Issue 28 Page 4 will improve the 'avoid' behavior and adjust the distance terrified mobs run, aiming to make combat more engaging.
Hideo Kojima addresses AI after DLSS 5 hit Death Stranding 2, says "I don't much like the idea" of it taking work or control from artists
Hideo Kojima expressed reservations about the increasing use of AI in game development, particularly concerning its potential to replace human artists and control creative direction. While acknowledging AI's utility in tasks like remastering and upscaling, he voiced concerns about its lack of artistic intention, stating he wouldn't want AI altering his work without his direct control.
Capcom’s REX engine will use AI to improve performance, QA, and overall efficiency
Capcom plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence into its next-generation REX engine to enhance performance, streamline quality assurance, and improve overall development efficiency. While AI will not be used for art generation, it will assist in debugging, performance optimization, and simplifying programming processes, addressing challenges posed by larger-scale games and a diverse development team.
Arc Raiders is replacing AI with real human performances, starting with Celeste
Embark Studios is replacing text-to-speech AI with full motion capture for non-player characters in Arc Raiders, starting with the character Celeste. This change aims to bring more authentic facial expressions and emotions from real-world actors, like Diana Gardner for Celeste, into the game to enhance immersion and storytelling.
State of Indie 2026 Part 3: Finance and Tech
Independent game development faces significant financial challenges, with publishers reducing funding and venture capital primarily flowing into development tools rather than games themselves. The increasing use of AI tools by developers is controversial, impacting player perception and leading to shorter production cycles as teams aim for efficiency in a crowded market.
