Generative AI
Ongoing coverage on Generative AI.
Latest coverage
EA staff worries over Saudi buyout, Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks, and Peak's last major update - Patch Notes #66
This article covers several gaming industry developments, including employee concerns at Electronic Arts following a Saudi buyout, ongoing leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6, and the final update for the game Peak. It also touches on FromSoftware's new game The Duskbloods, Compulsion Games' management buyout from Xbox, PlayStation's struggles with live-service games, and the use of AI in game development.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day concept art sparks backlash for alleged use of generative AI
Concept art featured in the 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day – The Art Of The Movie' book has sparked backlash from fans alleging the use of generative AI. Specific images, including one by artist Scott McInnes, show visual anomalies like warping on buildings and taxis, which are cited as indicators of AI generation. While only one artist's work is under scrutiny, the controversy highlights broader industry concerns about AI in creative fields.
Meta's app for creating generative AI minigames is now available in the US
Meta has launched Pocket, a platform for creating and sharing generative AI minigames, in the United States. The app allows users to build and distribute small interactive experiences powered by artificial intelligence.
James Pond’s New Trailer Has AI Alarm Bells Ringing, Comments Turned Off
Developer System 3 has faced accusations of using generative AI art in the trailer for their upcoming James Pond collection, 'James Pond Legacy: The Pond is Not Enough.' The controversy led to comments being disabled on the YouTube trailer, and the game's creator, Chris Sorrell, has previously spoken out against the use of AI in James Pond titles. The collection, featuring several classic James Pond games, is set to launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 in October 2026.
Take-Two's former AI guy is, in a twist, skeptical about AI now: 'The guy should be selling you the gold if…
A former AI lead for Take-Two Interactive, Dicken, expresses skepticism about the current hype surrounding generative AI in game development. He argues that the technology's practical application is often overstated, citing issues with authorial intent, dialogue trees, and debatable productivity gains. Dicken also warns of potential vendor lock-in and price hikes, comparing the situation to Unity's controversial pricing changes.
Three Decades In, Tomb Raider Is Swapping Genres for Good
The Tomb Raider franchise is undergoing a significant genre shift, moving away from its action-adventure roots towards RPG-inspired systems in the upcoming title, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. This reimagining introduces features like a skill tree, time-slowing combat mechanics, and a focus on enemy pattern study, diverging significantly from the original games. The development has also faced scrutiny regarding the use of generative AI.
Bain & Co: Research shows only one in five players seek out new titles
A report by Bain & Company indicates that two-thirds of players prefer familiar games or sequels, with only one in five actively seeking new titles. The research highlights that focused games targeting specific audiences are more commercially successful than generic ones, citing Baldur's Gate 3 as an example of success versus Concord's struggles. The report also touches on the growing adoption of generative AI in game production and its potential for understanding player behavior and personalization.
20-year-old Gunz the Duel gets Steam re-release, receives harsh criticism over network issues and suspected use of generative AI
The cult classic third-person action game Gunz the Duel has been re-released on Steam after 20 years, but its return is marred by significant technical problems and accusations of using generative AI without disclosure. Players report issues with in-game events, inconsistent gameplay mechanics, and severe network problems, leading to widespread criticism of developer Masangsoft.
The Hollywood disruptors making a large-scale game with a 12-person team – and no generative AI
Wolf Haus Games is developing a co-op cult simulator called Join Us with a small team of 12-13 developers, utilizing custom tools built in Unreal Engine. The studio, which has roots in the film industry, secured funding from Krafton and Lifelike Capital and is intentionally avoiding generative AI in its creative process, focusing on a human touch for game development.
The backlash against gen AI in video games proves voting with your wallet works
The gaming community's strong opposition to generative AI in game development is influencing publishing contracts, with some lawyers citing restrictive clauses due to legal liability concerns. Player backlash, including review-bombing and purchase boycotts, has led publishers to discourage developers from using AI assets, demonstrating that consumer action can impact industry practices.
Rideshare Stimulator finally gets its genAI disclosure after much Saber-rattling, and it turns out the game also uses the tech for in-game music
Saber Interactive has updated the Steam page for Rideshare Stimulator to disclose its use of generative AI for voice generation, localization, and in-game music, following a public dispute with former writer Stella Sacco. CEO Matthew Karch defended the AI implementation, stating it's experimental and necessary for certain modes, while Sacco accused Saber of replacing her with AI. The disclosure confirms AI is used in the optional Free Ride mode and for some music, separate from the main campaign's human-written narrative.
Niko Partners: India games market exceeds $1bn, forecast to reach $1.2bn by end of 2026
India's video game market surpassed $1 billion in revenue in 2025 and is projected to reach $1.77 billion by 2030, according to Niko Partners. The number of players is expected to grow to over 700 million by 2030, with female gamers now comprising nearly half of the player base. Mobile gaming remains the primary revenue driver, though audiences are exploring a wider range of genres on PC and console.
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.
