Generative AI
Ongoing coverage on Generative AI.
Latest coverage
Sony and Bandai get into bed with generative AI
Sony and Bandai Namco Entertainment are exploring the integration of generative AI within the gaming industry. The company has outlined the potential role of AI in the future development and features of PlayStation.
PlayStation is partnering with Bandai Namco for a "collaborative initiative" focused on generative AI
Sony and Bandai Namco Entertainment have announced a collaborative initiative focused on leveraging generative AI and other advanced technologies to aid game development. Sony executives emphasized that AI will serve as an amplifier for human creativity rather than a replacement for artists. The partnership aims to identify gains in speed and productivity while addressing the shortcomings of current AI models.
PS5 sales expected to decline due to generative AI memory drought and rising prices
Sony predicts a decrease in PlayStation 5 hardware sales for the next fiscal year, citing memory procurement challenges due to the rise of generative AI. This shortage is also impacting other platforms like the Steam Deck and has led to price increases for gaming hardware. Despite hardware sales concerns, Sony anticipates an increase in first-party game sales.
'NTE Is Built on Human Creativity': Dev to Rework Generative AI Assets in PS5 Open World
Hotta Studio has stated that Neverness to Everness is built on human creativity, with AI-assisted tools used only for a small number of background assets. This statement follows accusations of generative AI usage in the game's art, which led to a popular VTuber breaking her streaming contract. The studio is committed to reviewing and reworking affected assets, with one animation already removed.
PlayStation’s First-Party Studios Are Using Generative AI for QA, 3D Modeling, Animations
Sony is integrating generative AI tools into PlayStation Studios' development pipelines for tasks like QA, 3D modeling, and animation, using tools like Mockingbird for facial animations. While Sony emphasizes AI as an amplifier for human creativity, other studios like Mundfish, IO Interactive, and Take-Two Interactive have expressed caution or confirmed no AI use in their current projects, particularly for art assets in games like Grand Theft Auto 6.
NTE: Neverness to Everness Developers Admit AI Used in Game
Hotta Studio and Perfect World Games have admitted to using generative artificial intelligence for background and environmental assets in their game NTE: Neverness to Everness. The developers stated they are reworking two specific video examples flagged by players and emphasized that AI was not used on characters or stories. This admission follows criticism from players and a voice actress who expressed concerns about the use of AI-generated art.
Neverness to Everness Developer Responds to Generative AI Controversy Saying Small Parts of The Game Used
Hotta Studio has responded to controversy surrounding the use of generative AI in their game Neverness to Everness. The developer acknowledged using AI-assisted tools for a small number of background and environmental assets, but not for characters or story elements. The studio is reviewing and reworking flagged assets, including those in "Clear Skies in Summer" and "Pink Paws Heist," and encourages player feedback for future changes.
Xbox appoints new internal leaders and ditches Copilot AI
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced the company is discontinuing its Copilot generative AI features on mobile and halting development for consoles. This decision aligns with a broader strategic shift under Sharma's leadership, which also includes new internal leadership appointments aimed at increasing speed and community connection. Several executives from Microsoft and other tech companies have been brought in to bolster Xbox's product, engineering, and growth teams.
Streamers And Voice Actors Refuse To Work With Popular New Gacha Game Over Gen AI Concerns
The new gacha game Neverness to Everness is facing backlash from streamers and a voice actor due to concerns over the use of generative AI in its assets. Streamers like Ironmouse and Shylily have distanced themselves from the game, with Ironmouse stating her team was misled about the AI usage. Voice actor Meggie-Elise has also stated she will not continue work if the AI usage is not addressed.
Apple Intelligence will reportedly let you choose third-party AI models in iOS 27
Apple is reportedly planning to allow users to choose third-party AI models for its upcoming iOS 17, iPadOS, and macOS operating systems. This move would enable greater flexibility in generative AI capabilities on Apple devices.
Sniper Elite Studio Has No Plans To Use Generative AI In Games, But The Conversation "Should Be More Nuanced," Says CEO
Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley stated the studio has no plans to use generative AI in its games, but believes the industry conversation around the technology needs to be more nuanced. He suggested AI could be used as a tool to speed up iteration and assist with tasks like creating collision boxes or performing large-scale QA testing, acting as a 'force multiplier for creativity' rather than a replacement for human developers.
"They responded only to the press": Wizards of the Coast miss deadline for recognising Magic: The Gathering Arena union
Wizards of the Coast has missed a deadline to voluntarily recognize the union formed by Magic: The Gathering Arena developers. The union, United Wizards of the Coast—CWA, claims management has only responded to press inquiries and is now awaiting a National Labor Relations Board petition. The union aims to address issues like layoffs, return-to-office mandates, and generative AI adoption.
'I did catch my son using an eyebrow pencil to draw a moustache on his face, and it verified him as 15 years old': New report details the effects of the Online Safety Act thus far
A new report from Internet Matters indicates that children are finding creative ways to bypass the UK's Online Safety Act age verification measures, with some using makeup to appear older. Despite these bypasses, a majority of children desire improved blocking and reporting systems. The report also highlights parental support for a potential ban on social media for under-16s, similar to Australia's recent legislation.
Borderlands 4 Studio Has a “No AI in Any Work That Could Ever be Seen by Any Customer” Policy
Gearbox Entertainment CEO Randy Pitchford stated that the studio has a strict policy against using generative AI in any work that could be seen by customers. This comes amid broader industry discussions about AI in game development, with figures like Todd Howard from Bethesda Game Studios also expressing caution. While some studios are exploring AI for prototyping, Gearbox maintains a firm stance on artistic intention and customer-facing content.
Atomic Heart 2, The Cube Developer Isn’t Integrating Generative AI in its Tools
Mundfish, the developer of Atomic Heart and the upcoming Atomic Heart 2 and The Cube, has stated they are not currently integrating generative AI tools into their development pipeline. CEO Robert Bagratuni emphasized a balance between technology and human creativity, though the studio continues to monitor AI advancements. The studio is developing Atomic Heart 2 using Unreal Engine 5 and plans to expand RPG mechanics.
Randy Pitchford says Gearbox has a firm no-AI policy after posting an AI-generated image of an AI working at Gearbox
Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford stated the company has a strict no-AI policy for any customer-facing work, following backlash from an AI-generated image he posted. Pitchford clarified that the image was a personal experiment to highlight the absurdity of AI identity and not indicative of company practices. He also denied accusations that recent Borderlands patch notes were AI-generated, attributing any errors to human mistakes.
The MOP Up: Subnautica 2 just says no to gen AI
Unknown Worlds has confirmed that Subnautica 2 will not use generative AI, with all development being handled by traditional methods. The article also rounds up other recent gaming news, including delays for MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, updates for Dungeon Fighter Online and SMITE 2, and new content for Hearthstone and PSO2.
007 First Light Doesn’t Use Generative AI, as Art Director Says “Beware of Utopia”
IO Interactive has confirmed that its upcoming game, 007 First Light, does not utilize generative AI in its development, despite its plot exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and defense companies. Art director Rasmus Poulsen stated that the team engaged in extensive discussions regarding the use of AI. The game, which serves as a new origin story for James Bond, is set to launch on May 27th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
The Oscars bans generative AI in acting and writing categories
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, known as the Oscars, has updated its eligibility rules to ban generative AI in acting and writing categories. Roles must be demonstrably performed by humans with consent, and screenplays must be human-authored to be considered.
New Oscars rules ban Generative AI from ever being eligible for an Academy Award
The Academy has updated its rules for the upcoming 99th Academy Awards, officially banning generative AI-generated actors and screenplays from being eligible for any awards. New guidelines specify that only roles demonstrably performed by humans with their consent and human-authored screenplays will be considered.
