Generative AI
Ongoing coverage on Generative AI.
Latest coverage
Supergirl faces generative AI backlash as deleted video seems to show use in pre-production on the DC movie
Filmmakers for the DC Studios movie Supergirl faced backlash after a video appeared to show the use of generative AI in pre-production. Warner Bros. subsequently removed the video from YouTube. The movie itself underperformed at the box office and received mixed reviews.
Scabby versus Sharma, Twitch's GenAI admission, and Netflix shutters more studios - Patch Notes #65
Netflix has closed two more internal game studios, Night School Studio and Moonloot Games, despite recent success with its cloud gaming launches. Meanwhile, Twitch confirmed it will use user data to train Amazon's generative AI models by default. In other news, union workers protested Xbox's layoffs with a large inflatable rat and red flags, while the game 'Big Walk' surpassed one million sales and a game preservation project regained funding after previous cuts.
1666: Amsterdam interview - Assassin's Creed creator on why he avoids the series
In an interview, Patrice Désilets, the creator of the original Assassin's Creed, discusses his new game 1666: Amsterdam, its long development history, and his decision to use early access. Désilets also shares his thoughts on generative AI, his current relationship with the Assassin's Creed franchise, and his continued interest in using historical settings and multiple timelines in his games.
Netflix closes Oxenfree developer Night School, just a month after praising its new game as one of the company's…
Netflix has closed developer Night School Studio, known for games like Oxenfree and Unhinged, less than two months after praising Unhinged's success. The company also announced layoffs within its Games business as it shifts focus. This follows Netflix's acquisition of Night School in 2021 and previous studio closures.
Saber Interactive to add Rideshare 'Stimulator' AI disclosure after public controversy
Saber Interactive will update the Steam page for Rideshare Stimulator with an AI disclosure following controversy over claims that writers were replaced by generative AI. While Saber denies replacing writers, a former lead writer, Stella Sacco, stated she was replaced by ChatGPT. CEO Matt Karch has also made controversial comments about Embracer Group and Gearbox Software.
Twitch Is Now Using Channels To Train Generative AI, And The Company Knows It’s Unpopular
Twitch, owned by Amazon, is now using its channels to train generative AI models by default, requiring users to opt-out. Chief product officer Mike Minton acknowledged the unpopularity of this decision, stating it's opt-out because an opt-in system would see no participation. While users can opt-out of channel content training, other AI features like AutoMod remain mandatory.
Twitch will sacrifice you to its AI overlord whether you like it or not
Twitch is facing criticism for using user data to train Amazon's generative AI models by default, requiring users to manually opt-out. Chief product officer Mike Minton stated that an opt-in system would result in very few users participating. Even with an opt-out, content may still be used if users appear on other streams, raising concerns about data privacy and the use of copyrighted material.
Videogame lawyer says it's become 'just boilerplate' this year to include no-AI clauses in contracts:…
Videogame lawyer Haley MacLean states that 'no-AI' clauses are becoming standard boilerplate in contracts due to concerns over generative AI's reliance on copyrighted material. She explains that while companies are eager to use AI for cost-saving, legal ownership of AI-generated assets is complex, potentially leading to future lawsuits as legislation catches up.
Twitch is training AI on livestreams, says it's an opt out feature as "nobody would opt in"
Twitch is implementing a new policy to train generative AI models on its livestreams, which will be an opt-out feature by default. This decision has faced significant backlash from the streaming community, who are demanding an opt-in option. Twitch executives Mike Minton and Mary Kish defended the decision, stating that an opt-in system would result in very few users participating.
Saber CEO scorns writer who says she was fired in favor of AI with confusing, combative statement
Saber Interactive is facing controversy after writer Stella Sacco claimed she was fired from the upcoming game Rideshare Stimulator in favor of AI. The publisher denied this, stating the story was written by humans, but CEO Matt Karch's combative response, which mentioned using AI and replacing Sacco with someone more talented, has drawn criticism. Karch also claimed Sacco violated a confidentiality agreement by discussing the AI use.
Twitch under fire for new gen AI training system that harvests streamer data for Amazon, says it's on by default because 'if it was opt-in, nobody would opt in'
Twitch has drawn criticism for its new generative AI training system, which uses streamer content by default for Amazon's AI models. The company's chief product officer, Mike Minton, admitted that the opt-in system was set to default because "if it was opt-in, nobody would opt in." Streamers and industry figures like Mike Futter have raised concerns about data privacy and the potential implications for game developers whose content might be used without explicit consent.
Echoing Palworld dev, video game lawyer says all her clients have anti-AI contracts because gamers hate it and it's a copyright landmine: "I think we're going to see lawsuits"
Video game lawyer Haley MacLean reports that nearly all her clients now include anti-generative AI clauses in their contracts due to widespread gamer disapproval and significant copyright concerns. She highlights the legal risks, including potential lawsuits over ownership and infringement, advising studios to avoid the technology altogether. The trend reflects a growing industry-wide caution regarding AI's use in game development and asset creation.
Twitch streamers can now refuse to let Amazon train its genAI models on their content
Twitch has introduced an opt-out toggle allowing streamers to prevent their content from being used to train Amazon's generative AI models. This feature provides streamers with control over how their data is utilized for AI development.
One Man, Zero Reporters: The AI Newsroom That Beat Journalists to a Black Hat Scoop
An AI-powered newsroom called RuntimeWire, run by Ryan Merket without human reporters, reportedly beat professional journalists to a story from the Black Hat security conference by over three hours. Merket's AI agents handle story sourcing, drafting, editing, and even legal risk assessment, with the entire operation costing around $100 per day. The article questions the journalistic integrity of such AI-driven newsrooms, highlighting concerns about prose quality and ethical considerations despite the speed and cost-effectiveness.
Developers expect generative AI to impact roles and team sizes in the next three years
A survey of 100 Gamescom Dev speakers indicates that 83 percent expect generative AI to impact team sizes and productivity within the next three years. While 36 percent believe AI will change roles rather than reduce teams, 33 percent anticipate smaller team sizes. Companies like Capcom and Owlcat Games are exploring genAI for production speed, though backlash has occurred for studios like Pearl Abyss, Ubisoft, and 11 Bit Studios regarding disclosure.
Saber admit Rideshare "Stimulator" features generative AI writing, but deny they replaced taxi game's lead writer with ChatGPT
Saber Interactive has admitted that its upcoming game, Rideshare Simulator, features generative AI for its free-ride mode, despite not disclosing this on its Steam page, which contravenes Valve's AI policy. The game's former lead writer, Stella Sacco, claimed she was replaced by ChatGPT midway through development, a statement Saber denies, asserting that the main story was written by humans and their writing staff has tripled.
Saber Interactive "replaced me with ChatGPT midway through development" but AI use is not disclosed on Steam,…
Publisher Saber Interactive is accused of extensively using generative AI, including ChatGPT, in its upcoming driving simulator "Rideshare Stimulator," allegedly replacing staff without proper disclosure on Steam. Former lead writer Stella Sacco claims she was replaced by AI midway through development, and that passenger voices were also AI-generated. Valve requires disclosure for AI-generated content shipped with games, a requirement that appears to have been missed for "Rideshare Stimulator."
Apple may introduce a photo authentication tool in iOS 27
Apple is reportedly considering the introduction of a photo authentication tool in iOS 17. This feature could potentially serve as a method to verify the authenticity of images in response to the rise of generative AI technologies.
With gen AI assets cut from Assassin's Creed creator's new game demo, lead admits "we didn't even realize it was AI anymore because we were used to seeing it"
Patrice Désilets, former lead of Assassin's Creed, has committed to removing all AI-generated assets from his new game, 1666: Amsterdam, following player concerns. The developer apologized for the oversight, stating that the AI art was not sufficiently retouched and will not be present in the final product. The game is set to launch into Early Access on PC via Steam on August 25.
Black Myth: Zhong Kui Studio is Avoiding the Use of Generative AI for Design, Asset Production
Game Science, the studio behind Black Myth: Wukong and Black Myth: Zhong Kui, is intentionally avoiding the use of generative AI for design and asset production in its upcoming title, Black Myth: Zhong Kui. Co-founder Yang Qi stated the team prefers to rely on its own methods, though they are not entirely opposed to the technology. The studio also confirmed that Black Myth: Zhong Kui will feature a new protagonist based on the mythological exorcist Zhong Kui, rather than being a DLC for Black Myth: Wukong.
