Generative AI
Ongoing coverage on Generative AI.
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GTA 6 doesn't feature microtransactions or AI, Rockstar says, but I doubt its take on GTA Online won't have…
Rockstar Games has reportedly stated that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not feature microtransactions or utilize generative AI in its development. While the absence of AI is expected, the lack of microtransactions in the base game is notable, though the article speculates that the online component may still be monetized.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Won’t Have Any Monetization or Use Generative AI
Rockstar North has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not feature any microtransactions or utilize generative AI in its development. While details on Grand Theft Auto Online remain undisclosed, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick previously stated that the game was built entirely by human developers. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on November 19th for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Will Have No Microtransactions Or Generative AI
Grand Theft Auto 6 will not feature microtransactions or generative AI at launch, according to Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson. This was confirmed by Kinda Funny's Andy Cortez and Greg Miller, who also noted that Rockstar emphasized the game's "human-made craft" in its development, contrasting with the use of AI.
Saudi media conglomerate MBC expands into video game industry with new studio
Middle Eastern entertainment company MBC Group has launched MBC Game Studio, a new subsidiary focused on video game development. The studio's first project is "1001 Threads of Mizan," an action-adventure game set in the world of One Thousand and One Nights. MBC Game Studio aims to build a successful game franchise and elevate the local industry, while also confirming a policy against using generative AI technology.
Linus Torvalds details his 'debug session from hell' pushing an AI to fix an error it repeatedly said was 'impossible and unsolvable'. He then made it write the report
Linux creator Linus Torvalds detailed a challenging debugging session where an AI repeatedly failed to solve a 'round_up()' to 'round_down()' error, suggesting it was impossible. Despite the AI's repeated suggestions to give up, Torvalds persisted through 24 patches and 18 kernel boots to fix the issue, ultimately letting the AI write the commit message. The article also touches on the broader debate surrounding generative AI in coding, its potential pitfalls, and the ethical concerns raised by AI-assisted game development projects.
Nvidia tech behind PUBG's genAI team mates will let folks chat to creature-collecting RPG Aniimo's not-Pokemon next year
Nvidia's ACE generative AI technology, previously used for AI teammates in PUBG: Battlegrounds, will be integrated into the creature-collecting RPG Aniimo in early 2027. Developed by Pawprint Studio, Aniimo will allow players to converse with their in-game creatures, teaching them skills and discovering their personalities. Nvidia assures developers have control over AI responses to prevent manipulation, with Aniimo's AI interactions limited to specific home base activities.
Twitch and Amazon face class-action lawsuit over its automatic opt-in of gen AI training
Twitch and Amazon are facing a class-action lawsuit over their automatic opt-in policy for generative AI training. Streamer Warren Pandiscia alleges that both companies unlawfully copied millions of videos to develop AI models without proper consent, violating creator agreements and unfair competition laws.
Twitch faces a class action lawsuit over using streamers' content to train Amazon's AI
Twitch and its parent company Amazon are facing a proposed class action lawsuit from streamer Warren Pandiscia, who alleges his content was used to train generative AI models without consent or payment. This follows Twitch's recent announcement of AI training features, which have been met with community backlash due to their opt-out rather than opt-in nature. Separately, an analyst suggests that Epic Games Store's efforts to compete with Steam may be too late, despite ongoing improvements to its storefront and the continued success of Fortnite.
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.
