Generative AI
Ongoing coverage on Generative AI.
Latest coverage
US judge closes the book on first big AI copyright suit, ordering Anthropic to pay $1.5 billion settlement
A US judge has approved a $1.5 billion copyright settlement between AI company Anthropic and a group of authors. The lawsuit alleged that Anthropic used millions of pirated books to train its Claude chatbot. The settlement covers approximately 500,000 works, with eligible authors and publishers receiving $3,000 per pirated work.
"Steam’s required AI disclosure is the right move": Devs say gen AI should be called out in games and…
Valve's new policy requiring developers to disclose the use of generative AI in games on Steam has sparked debate, with some, like Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, calling it irresponsible. However, many developers interviewed believe transparency is crucial, arguing that gamers have a right to know how their games are made and what they are supporting. There is a sentiment that consumers are pushing back against AI-generated content, and platforms like Steam are responding to this demand.
Ethical, low-power, and on-device: Studio Atelico's vision for the future of generative AI
Studio Atelico is developing its debut game, Bobium Brawlers, using its proprietary on-device generative AI engine, which operates ethically by training on its own artists' work. The studio secured $5 million in seed funding to advance its AI-first ecosystem, aiming to uplift human artists rather than replace them. The technology prioritizes low power usage and avoids cloud-based fees, with the goal of becoming the 'Epic Games of AI' by creating games and tools that foster a self-reinforcing loop of innovation.
"Built for that world doesn't mean built to require it": Unity reveal their next game engine while walking a careful line around generative AI
Unity has announced Unity 7, the next iteration of its game engine, promising smoother project transitions from Unity 6 and a more open approach to collaboration. While incorporating generative AI features, Unity is emphasizing that these are optional. The engine will adopt CoreCLR as its default scripting backend for faster performance and introduce a new global illumination system. Unity 7 is set for an early beta in December 2026 and a full release in early 2027, aiming to rebuild developer trust after past pricing controversies.
Unity unveils Unity 7 roadmap with update path that won't break your build
Unity announced its roadmap for Unity 7, promising speedier workflows, an improved ecosystem, and better graphics with a direct upgrade path from Unity 6. The new version will enter early beta in December 2026 and release in early 2027. Unity 7 will also offer more flexibility regarding generative AI integration, allowing developers to choose their level of adoption.
First-person explorer Sketchy Fables is a twitchy, teeming feast of hand-drawn art with acting from Hades 2's Sarah Grayson
Sketchy Fables is a first-person explorer game featuring unique hand-drawn art and narration by Sarah Grayson, known for her work on Hades 2. The game's world dynamically changes based on player actions, with choices influencing whether the environment becomes beautiful or decays. Developer Alle Jong utilized generative AI for localization due to budget and time constraints, a decision that contrasts with the game's emphasis on hand-crafted art.
"It creates lesser games": Indie game studios are supposed to love generative AI, so why do the 25 devs I…
Many indie game developers express strong aversion to using generative AI, viewing it as a threat to their reputation, a trap for new developers, a legal hazard, or simply impractical. They emphasize the value of human ingenuity and the creative process, arguing that AI-generated content leads to lesser, soulless games and could harm the industry by automating junior roles and prioritizing short-term profit over artistic integrity.
In An Era Of AI Slop, Meccha Chameleon Embraces Human-Crafted Chaos
Meccha Chameleon, an indie game developed by lemorion_1224 and Haganeiro, has gained significant popularity on Steam by embracing human-crafted chaos over generative AI. Despite its rudimentary graphics and polish, the game's unique hide-and-seek gameplay, inspired by Prop Hunt and featuring player-created camouflage, encourages creativity and fun, standing in contrast to the perceived "AI slop" in the industry.
Netflix admits to using GenAI both in the app and on 300 movies and shows in 2026 alone
Netflix has admitted to using Generative AI in the production of approximately 300 movies and shows in 2026, aiming to reduce costs and increase production speed. The company stated that AI tools are primarily used in post-production to enhance scenes and sequences that might otherwise be omitted due to budget constraints. Additionally, Netflix employs AI on its platform to improve title discovery and personalize content recommendations for users.
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.