Generative AI
Ongoing coverage on Generative AI.
Latest coverage
Netflix admits to using generative AI in roughly 300 of its shows
Netflix has revealed that generative AI has been utilized in approximately 300 of its shows, spanning from concept development to post-production. The company intends to continue employing these tools to enhance output quality and speed while reducing costs, despite ongoing industry concerns and lawsuits related to AI usage.
AI Yi-Yi!
This article discusses the current state of Artificial Intelligence, contrasting the idea that AI is not yet smarter than a baby with the notion that generative AI represents an engineering disaster. It highlights ongoing debates about AI's capabilities and development challenges.
Suno brings its gen AI music gunk to iMessage
Suno, a company specializing in generative AI music, has integrated its technology into iMessage. This allows users to create and share AI-generated songs directly within their conversations, offering a novel way to communicate through music.
AI Yi-Yi!
OpenAI staff members are reportedly funding a rival Super PAC aimed at challenging their employer. The article also notes that 100% of surveyed individuals are using Generative AI.
Poll finds 100% of Japanese online game developers are using AI, though mostly for 'user preference analysis'…
A poll of Japanese online game developers revealed that 100% are using generative AI, primarily for user preference analysis and behavior prediction. While concerns exist about AI's impact on creativity and potential homogenization of games, the current primary uses are considered benign. Tools like Google Gemini, Claude, and GitHub Copilot are widely adopted.
According to a poll, Generative AI is being used at a whopping 100% Japanese online game developers, as copyright infringement concerns climb
A report indicates that 100% of Japanese online game developers surveyed are using generative AI, with Google's Gemini being the most popular tool. The primary uses are user preference analysis and behavior prediction, while players express concerns about copyright infringement and homogenization of games. This trend contrasts with a more reserved approach in Western development, despite efforts by companies like Epic Games to integrate AI tools.
"They would feel a kind of sadness, right?": Slay the Spire 2 dev on using slightly rubbish placeholder art over AI
Mega Crit co-founder Casey Yano explained that the intentionally rough placeholder art in Slay the Spire 2's early access is meant to clearly communicate the game's incomplete status. He also expressed a preference for this approach over using generative AI art, stating that it would feel disheartening to artists who have developed their own styles.
Assassin’s Creed Creator’s New Game Channels Fine Art And Slasher Cinema
1666: Amsterdam, the new supernatural dark fantasy game from Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets and Panache Digital Games, draws inspiration from Dutch Golden Age art and 1960s slasher cinema. The game's art direction, which aims to replicate the styles of painters like Vermeer, has faced scrutiny due to the use of generative AI in its playable prologue, though the developers have pledged to replace these assets with human-created art before the full release on Steam and Epic Games Store.
Slay the Spire 2 lead says the garbage placeholder art is "important" and gen AI would ruin it: "People would judge the game as if it's a 1.0, fully developed video game"
Mega Crit co-founder Casey Yano stated that Slay the Spire 2 is intentionally using deliberately 'shit' placeholder art instead of generative AI assets. This approach aims to clearly communicate that the game is in early access and not a fully developed product, preventing players from judging it as such. Yano also expressed concerns that AI art lacks the artistic process and decision-making inherent in human creation.
Villagers & Heroes discloses that it’s using generative AI for splash screen placeholders
Mad Otter Games has disclosed its use of generative AI for placeholder splash screens in Villagers & Heroes, stating that these are temporary and will be replaced. The studio emphasizes that most in-game art is human-made and that AI is used to speed up prototyping and explore ideas quickly. They are now seeking player screenshots to inform future AI-rendered scenes, which will ultimately be hand-painted by artists.
Slay The Spire 2 Is Choosing “Shit” Art Over Generative AI
Mega Crit co-founder Casey Yano explains the decision to use intentionally crude, MS Paint-style placeholder art in Slay the Spire 2 instead of generative AI. This approach sets player expectations for the early access title, maintains authorial intent in the art process, and injects personality into the game. While the studio uses AI for code review and as a thesaurus, they firmly reject generative AI for art due to its lack of expression and potential to harm reputation.
Opt out from your Instagram photos from being used in tagged generative AI posts
Instagram is introducing a feature that allows users to generate AI images based on public photos, unless users actively opt out. The opt-out setting is located within the app's settings under 'Sharing and reuse.' This move has drawn criticism regarding copyright and content misuse, with organizations like SAG-AFTRA and publications like Shacknews taking stances against the use of AI in content creation.
Devs don't buy Steam disclosure claiming gen AI was a necessity: "I'm literally unemployed and I still…
A Steam disclosure for the game Bahast, which stated generative AI was essential for its development, has sparked debate among developers. Many indie developers argue against using AI, citing personal asset creation without AI despite financial struggles. Industry figures like Tim Sweeney believe AI-aided development is crucial for the future, while Sony also views AI as an important technology.
PlayStation is Using Generative AI for Placeholder Voices and Art
Sony is utilizing generative AI tools within its PlayStation studios to assist developers with repetitive tasks, aiming to speed up iteration and improve output quality. These AI tools are being used for creating placeholder assets like synthetic voices and art, as well as accelerating QA, 3D modeling, and facial animations. The company emphasizes that AI is intended to augment human creativity and capabilities rather than replace artists and creators.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director thinks devs will eventually "be able to churn out a game in 5 seconds with a prompt," but he hopes they're not any good
Guillaume Broche, lead developer at Sandfall Interactive, believes that while AI could eventually allow for games to be generated instantly with a prompt, he hopes these creations won't be good. His studio is not using generative AI for creative work, though they are exploring its use for administrative tasks. Broche also mentioned that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a spiritual successor to the JRPG Lost Odyssey.
Evening Reading - July 2, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various game reviews and updates, including Rhythm Heaven Groove and Doom: The Dark Ages. It also highlights industry news such as PlayStation ending physical disc production in January 2028, Godot banning generative AI code, and Krafton paying bonuses while CEO Ted Gill resigns. The article also features internet curiosities and memes.
Meta has released an app for making generative AI games
Meta has released a new app designed for creating generative AI games. The app, named Pocket, is listed in app stores but appears to be unavailable in the United States at this time.
Discussing unionization, layoffs, and monetization
A Game Developer podcast episode, featuring analysts from GDC and Omdia, discusses key findings from the GDC 2024 State of the Game Industry report. The conversation covers trends in monetization, industry layoffs, and conglomeration, as well as developer opinions on unionization, with younger developers showing significantly higher support.
Digging into SAG-AFTRA’s Stellar Win With Sarah Elmaleh
Actor and SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Negotiating Committee chair Sarah Elmaleh discusses the recent Interactive Media Agreement that ended an 11-month strike. The deal includes improved actor pay, new safety standards, and terms for the use of generative AI, giving actors more control over their data. Elmaleh shares her experience navigating the three-year negotiation process.
Analyzing the game industry's woes with Owen Mahoney
Former Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney discusses the game industry's challenges and his views on emerging technologies. After 25 years in the industry, he criticizes trends like the metaverse, VR, and NFTs but expresses optimism about generative AI's potential to revolutionize game development.
