Generative AI
Ongoing coverage on Generative AI.
Latest coverage
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Lead Says His LGBTQ+ Award Nom Isn't "Woke"
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 creative director Daniel Vávra expressed pride in the game's Gayming Awards nominations, including for its LGBTQ+ character representation, while also stating his continued dislike for what he calls "woke" content in media. Vávra, who previously stepped down from his role at Warhorse Studios, also commented on the game's sales success and the studio's pivot towards AI.
Panic won't release Playdate titles that use some forms of generative AI
Panic will no longer allow developers to publish titles on its Playdate storefront, Catalog, that use generative AI tools for art, audio, music, text, or dialog. This policy change comes after a game that used AI for coding and writing was included in Playdate Season 2. While AI assistance in coding will still be permitted and flagged, the use of generative AI for creative assets is now prohibited.
Ubisoft union workers agree settlement, legal advice for game devs, and is Xbox Game Pass too expensive? - Patch Notes #48
Union workers at the shuttered Ubisoft Halifax studio have reached a confidential settlement. Xbox's new gaming chief, Asha Sharma, reportedly believes Xbox Game Pass has become too expensive. Additionally, the article touches on the winding down of Ludum Dare, a potential Fortnite extraction shooter with Disney characters, Roblox's new age-based accounts, Among Us surpassing one billion downloads, legal advice for game developers regarding generative AI and IP, and the upcoming Playdate Season 3.
Vague Patch Notes: No, ‘foreigners’ are not coming for the American games industry
This article critiques the notion that Asian game developers are poised to overtake the American industry due to their embrace of generative AI. It argues that many Asian companies struggle to penetrate Western markets and that the real issues facing the industry include over-reliance on single titles, fixation on graphics, studio cannibalization, and poor working conditions, rather than external threats.
Meta isn't setting its Oversight Board free just yet
Meta's Oversight Board is seeking to expand its role beyond the company, exploring partnerships with AI firms. However, Meta has not yet approved changes to its governing documents that would allow for this. The board, funded by Meta, is also facing internal questions about its future and investment as Meta shifts its content moderation priorities.
Video game lawyer implores devs to understand ownership and swerve generative AI
Video game lawyer Nick Allan advises independent developers to prioritize understanding intellectual property ownership and to avoid generative AI. He stressed the importance of written agreements with contractors and freelancers to secure IP rights. Allan also cautioned against using AI-generated assets due to potential ownership issues and difficulties in preventing copyright infringement.
Microsoft raises prices on Surface PCs due to skyrocketing RAM costs
Microsoft has implemented significant price increases across its Surface line of PCs, citing rising memory and component costs, particularly for RAM. The price hikes affect models like the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro, with some seeing increases of up to $500. These cost adjustments are also impacting other tech manufacturers like Motorola and Samsung, with the PlayStation 5 and Steam Deck also facing price pressures.
Crimson Desert's AI Scandal Should Bother You More
The article criticizes the gaming industry's handling of generative AI use, highlighting Crimson Desert's scandal where Pearl Abyss unintentionally left AI-generated art in the game. It argues that the industry and players overlook AI use, citing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's awards despite similar AI issues. The author expresses concern over the ethical implications, environmental impact, and the potential for AI to devalue human creativity in game development.
After apologizing for generative AI use, Ascendance of a Bookworm anime studio replaces its opening credits
Wit Studio has replaced the opening credits for the anime Ascendance of a Bookworm after apologizing for the use of generative AI in its background art. The studio confirmed AI was used and pledged to replace the affected art before the second episode and for all future releases.
Wit Studio Will Remove Ascendance of a Bookworm Anime AI Scenes
Wit Studio has confirmed the use of generative AI in the opening for season 4 of the Ascendance of a Bookworm anime and will replace these scenes with hand-drawn art starting with the second episode. The studio apologized for the usage, citing a failure in its quality control process, and has removed the AI-generated sequences from official channels.
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain is "looking forward" to generative AI for games, TV, and his doctor appointments in dire predictions: "Like a game and you want more content? It'll just generate it"
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain expresses anticipation for a future where generative AI creates games, TV shows, and even medical diagnoses, envisioning dynamic content generation for entertainment and personalized healthcare. He predicts AI will allow players to customize game mechanics and storylines, and for dead MMOs to be revived with AI-generated players. Cain also suggests AI could serve as personalized diagnosticians and nutritionists, though he acknowledges the need for regulation and raises questions about creator compensation.
Attack on Titan studio apologizes and heads back to the drawing board after using generative AI in an anime opening
Wit Studio has apologized for using generative AI in the opening sequence of the latest season of its anime series, Ascendance of a Bookworm. The studio launched an internal investigation after viewers on Reddit and other platforms noticed AI-generated details. The studio is reportedly heading back to the drawing board following the backlash.
Phantom Blade Zero developer rejects gen-AI and promises "every single piece of content in our game has been crafted by the hands of real artists"
Developer S-Game has stated that Phantom Blade Zero will not use generative AI in its development, with CEO Qiwei Liang emphasizing that all content is crafted by human artists. The studio highlighted its commitment to authenticity, from 3D scanned character models and motion capture to hand-drawn in-game maps. Phantom Blade Zero is set to release on PlayStation 5 and PC on September 9.
Gunzilla called out, Netflix's surprise app store surge, and indie publishers rise up - Patch Notes #47
Gunzilla Games faces accusations from former employees regarding unpaid wages, while Netflix's new 'Playground' app for children and its virtual game controller app have seen significant success. Additionally, indie developers Black Tabby Games and Landfall have launched new publishing labels, signaling a growing trend in the independent sector.
Xbox co-creator says "it's just not true" gaming is on the decline despite layoff apocalypse
Former Xbox executive Ed Fries argues that the video game industry is not in decline, citing PC game growth and the increasing importance of global markets like China. Despite widespread layoffs and studio closures, Fries believes the industry has historically experienced cyclical swings and continues to show potential for significant growth.
Off The Grid developer Gunzilla accused of failing to pay employees
Gunzilla Games, the developer of the upcoming battle royale shooter Off The Grid, is facing accusations of failing to pay its employees for months. Former employees and the studio's ex-head of talent acquisition have come forward, claiming significant salary delays and that CEO Vlad Korolev and CFO Taras Basarab have ignored their requests for payment. The studio has offices in London, Frankfurt, and Kyiv.
Kazuma Kaneko’s Tsukuyomi Adds Devil May Cry 5 Collaboration Ahead of Switch Launch; We're Also Not Sure Why
Colopl announced a collaboration between Kazuma Kaneko's Tsukuyomi and Devil May Cry 5, featuring Dante, Nero, and Vergil as boss encounters and playable "Jinma" cards. This crossover will be available when the Nintendo Switch card-based RPG launches on April 23, 2026. The game, a reworked version of Tsukuyomi: The Divine Hunters, incorporates deck-building RPG and roguelike elements, with the Switch version using pre-created artwork instead of generative AI for illustrations.
AI Yi-Yi!
A publisher head stated that despite industry dislike for generative AI, its use is inevitable as Pandora's box has been opened. The article mentions Anthropic's new Claude Mythos AI as an example of this technology's advancement.
'Video games are cooked' — founder of No More Robots condemns gen AI in gaming and says 'from a publisher perspective, it's mega annoying'
Mike Rose, founder of No More Robots, has strongly criticized the use of generative AI in video games, stating that it makes the industry 'cooked' from a publisher's perspective. He notes the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content in game demos and art, making it harder for publishers to compete. Rose believes that despite negative sentiment, AI usage in games is inevitable and will continue to grow.
"Video games are cooked": Publisher head says "it doesn't matter" how many of us hate gen AI, Pandora's box has opened and "it's gonna get used now"
Mike Rose, founder of No More Robots, believes generative AI's integration into game development is irreversible, likening it to Pandora's box. He notes the increasing prevalence of AI-generated assets in game demos and the competitive pressure it creates for publishers. Despite player backlash, Rose asserts that the ease of AI tools will lead to their widespread adoption, fundamentally changing how games are made.
