Generative AI
Ongoing coverage on Generative AI.
Latest coverage
Why so many game developers don't want to use generative AI
Many game developers express strong reservations about using generative AI, citing ethical concerns, environmental impact, copyright issues, and job security risks. Despite some executives championing AI as a tool for efficiency, a significant portion of the industry views it as unproven, potentially harmful to creativity, and undesirable by players.
"How dare we use something like that on someone's dream?" – Why generative AI artwork is a no-go for The Scroll of Taiwu
ConchShip Games, developers of the wuxia RPG The Scroll of Taiwu, have stated they will not use generative AI for artwork, believing it compromises the unique vision and creative expression essential to game development. The studio emphasizes the importance of human creativity and the trust built with players over years of development, warning that using AI could be seen as a shortcut and damage that relationship.
Around a fifth of Steam Next Fest demos have a generative AI disclosure
Approximately one-fifth of the game demos featured during Steam Next Fest included a disclosure regarding the use of generative AI in their development. The article will analyze player reactions to these disclosures and their potential impact on game development practices.
Fortnite is using AI to help make skins and then charging up to £15 for them
Epic Games is facing backlash from Fortnite players for its use of generative AI in the creation of in-game skins, which are then sold for up to £15. While Epic Games states that creative control remains with human artists, fans are concerned about the implications of AI in game development and its potential impact on artists, especially following recent layoffs at the company.
AI Yi-Yi!
Over a thousand games featured in Steam Next Fest included some form of generative AI disclosure. The article also touches on the potential impact of the Anthropic company on American AI dominance and a recent court ruling.
More than a thousand games in Steam Next Fest feature a generative AI disclosure of some kind
Approximately 20 percent of the games featured in the Steam Next Fest event have disclosed the use of generative AI in their development. Valve requires developers to declare AI usage, a policy that has led to clarifications from companies like Sega regarding their use of the technology. Generative AI remains a controversial topic within the gaming community.
This Google Chrome extension warns you about Steam games are made with generative AI
A new Google Chrome extension called 'AI warning for Steam' helps users identify games on Steam that disclose the use of generative AI in their development. The extension alerts users with a pop-up detailing the AI usage, allowing them to decide whether to proceed with viewing the game's page. This tool addresses Valve's requirement for developers to disclose AI usage, which is often buried deep within game descriptions.
Fortnite Maker Confirms How It Uses Generative AI to Help Create Concept Art and Designs for New Skins
Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, has revealed its use of generative AI tools in the creation of concept art and designs for new character skins and in-game locations. This provides a behind-the-scenes look at their design process.
The Sunday Papers
This article rounds up several gaming-related news items and discussions. It covers how Pokémon Go data might be used for military drone training, developers discussing the creation of discovery in games, concerns about generative AI's impact on the tech industry, and an oral history of the game Spore. Additionally, it touches on gamification and data collection in relation to word puzzles and a review of C. Thi Nguyen's book 'The Score'.
"There's nothing worse than an AI-generated pitch": Bloober, Jagex, 11 bit and indie devs on the bruising hurdle of funding a videogame prototype
Independent game developers face significant hurdles in securing funding for prototypes, with many publishers requiring playable builds before committing to a project. Companies like Bloober Team, Jagex, and 11 bit studios acknowledge the necessity of prototypes but express concerns about the increasing reliance on generative AI for their creation. While AI tools can boost productivity, publishers are wary of AI-generated pitches, as they offer less proof of a team's genuine capabilities and artistic vision, leading to a more risk-averse industry.
Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets' new and witchy 1666: Amsterdam demo raises more questions than answers
Patrice Désilets' long-awaited game, 1666: Amsterdam, has resurfaced with a playable prologue and an early access release planned for later this year. The game, which was originally conceived at Ubisoft before Désilets founded Panache Digital, features a witch-like protagonist and a narrative that spans multiple time periods. However, the prologue's release was met with controversy due to the apparent use of generative AI in its assets, leading to an apology from the studio, and a mixed reception on Steam has left many questioning the game's core mechanics and direction.
Playstack sold, Xbox announces business 'reset,' and is generative AI poisoning the well? - Patch Notes #56
Playstack has been sold to Integrated Media Company, with TruFin divesting its majority stake. Xbox announced a business 'reset' involving potential layoffs and studio closures, as confirmed by leaders Asha Sharma and Matt Booty. Concerns are also rising about generative AI's impact on the industry, with Take-Two's former head of AI, Luke Dicken, expressing worries about the current hype cycle.
AI Yi-Yi!
The former head of AI at Take-Two Interactive has expressed concerns that generative AI is 'poisoning the well' within the industry. This sentiment highlights ongoing debates about the impact and responsible implementation of AI technologies in game development.
"I look at AI almost like a toddler": OG Halo artist says game devs relying on AI for direction are in for…
Veteran Halo artist Eddie Smith warns game developers against over-reliance on generative AI for creative direction, comparing it to an unmanageable toddler. He argues that AI tools require extensive human oversight and touch-ups, and that foundational creative vision must come from human artists, not AI. Smith's comments come amid ongoing debates about AI's role in game development, citing controversies in titles like Kingdom Hearts 4 and Baldur's Gate 3.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis devs use generative AI to ‘get to right answers faster’ because figuring things out yourself is so old-fashioned now
Developers of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis are utilizing generative AI tools to accelerate their problem-solving process. The article suggests this approach is favored over traditional methods of figuring things out independently.
'AI Can Help Our Team Get to the Right Answers Faster': Tomb Raider PS5's Controversy Explained
Crystal Dynamics has clarified its use of generative AI in the development of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, stating it's a tool to help visualize concepts faster, with all final content being human-crafted. The article discusses the broader implications of AI in gaming and the need for developer transparency regarding its implementation.
Stranger Than Heaven director says GTA 6 may force devs to use generative AI
Masayoshi Yokoyama, Executive Director at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, suggests that the immense scale of Grand Theft Auto 6 might compel developers to adopt generative AI for future game development to remain economically viable. While Stranger Than Heaven does not use AI, Yokoyama believes that if player expectations shift towards games of GTA 6's magnitude, generative AI could become a necessity for smaller teams to create comparable titles.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis developer explains generative AI use
Crystal Dynamics has confirmed the use of generative AI in the development of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a title announced for the Nintendo Switch 2. Director of experience Jeff Adams explained that AI tools are being used to create placeholder and testing assets, assuring that all final game assets will be human-crafted. This follows similar scrutiny for another upcoming game, Crazy Taxi: World Tour, highlighting ongoing industry debate about AI's role in game development.
Crimson Desert tops 6M sales within three months
Pearl Abyss's colossal RPG, Crimson Desert, has surpassed six million sales worldwide within three months of its March 19 launch. The game, developed by the studio behind Black Desert Online, has seen its Steam reviews improve to a 'Very Positive' rating. Pearl Abyss previously apologized for not disclosing the use of generative AI in the game's production.
Here’s How Generative AI Is Being Used In Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis
Crystal Dynamics confirmed that generative AI will be used in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis for concept art and placeholder assets, but not for the design of Lara Croft herself. Experience director Jeff Adams stated that Lara is "100% human-crafted" and that AI serves as a tool for rapid visualization during early development. The game is set to release in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
