AI in gaming Archives

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Larian boss is sick of players “shi***ng” on new games, and it feels like he’s talking about Highguard

Highguard is a high fantasy extraction FPS that has garnered attention but has a subdued post-reveal marketing strategy. It received mixed reviews, with only 37% of players on Steam leaving positive feedback, which increases to 78% among those who played for over five hours. The game sparked polarized discussions on social media, with both defenders and detractors voicing their opinions. Larian Studios’ co-founder, Swen Vincke, criticized the negativity towards new titles, advocating for respect towards creators and suggesting that critics should be evaluated on the impact of their reviews. He acknowledged the financial pressures on players regarding game purchases and emphasized the importance of constructive criticism without personal attacks. Vincke also expressed concern about the sensitivity of creative individuals and the potential loss to the industry if they withdraw due to harsh criticism.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Valve’s new Steam AI disclosure cares about what you actually see, stressing that behind-the-scenes dev tools are “not the focus”

Valve has updated the declaration form for game submissions to Steam, emphasizing the need for developers to disclose any AI-generated content that is "consumed by players," including art assets, music, writing, and marketing materials. This change shifts the focus from development tools to the actual content delivered to players. Developers are required to declare AI-generated elements such as artwork, sound, and narrative. Valve has maintained a separate check for games using AI to generate content or code during gameplay, allowing players to report inappropriate content and holding developers responsible for safeguarding against such issues. The update clarifies the use of AI in game development without completely overhauling the previous guidelines.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

It’s not weird to want a generative AI disclosure on games

The rising costs of RAM have delayed a PC upgrade for the author, who reflects on the implications of technology in gaming. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Steam's generative AI disclosure requirement, comparing it to revealing haircare routines. The author supports Valve's perspective, viewing the disclosure as a safeguard against issues related to generative AI, which has been accused of automating plagiarism and using copyrighted material. The energy demands of AI data centers are also a concern, drawing parallels to collective environmental damage. Transparency in AI usage in gaming is deemed essential, with Activision's vague statement about generative AI in Call of Duty raising questions. The author believes that if AI enhances games, developers should explain their creative processes. As AI-generated content becomes more common, there may be a trend for developers to announce their lack of AI involvement, though the prospect of creativity driven by algorithms is seen as disheartening.

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

You’re “dead wrong” if you think AI can make a good game, says ex Gears of War director, but he’s still bopping to Soviet post-punk Britney

Larian Studios confirmed its use of AI to "explore references," while Expedition 33's Sandfall faces allegations regarding its AI applications. Black Ops 7 was criticized for using generative AI art assets, and Arc Raiders utilized AI to generate additional voice lines. Adrian Chmielarz, founder of The Astronauts, expressed skepticism about AI's ability to create compelling games, stating that quality games cannot be made solely through AI. He acknowledged the impressive capabilities of AI but emphasized the need for human creativity in game development. Chmielarz mentioned Revolution Software's use of AI to upscale imagery for Broken Sword, which he considers a fair application of the technology. He maintains a strict policy against AI-generated content in his projects, emphasizing the importance of human connection in gaming. Chmielarz noted that AI might be more accepted as a tool rather than a creative force and speculated that the gaming landscape will shift dramatically by 2026 with major titles on the horizon.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Millennium Whisper and the case for ethical, on-device AI in games

A recent survey by Google Cloud found that 90% of game developers are exploring generative AI. Millennium Whisper, a dating sim by Parable Studios, is the first game on Steam to run a large language model entirely on-device, avoiding cloud-based inference. This approach allows for unique in-game conversations and addresses ethical data usage, as actors retain ownership of their data and receive royalties. The game uses actor-led role-play sessions for character behavior, ensuring high-quality data. Running AI locally enhances energy efficiency and sustainability, contrasting with traditional server-based models that incur ongoing costs. Millennium Whisper received grant funding from Innovate UK and is currently in Early Access. Ambrose Robinson, the founder of Parable Studios, emphasizes the importance of energy savings and the sustainability of their AI approach.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 stripped of IGA’s Game of the Year gong as its generative AI use comes under inspection

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has had its two awards revoked by the Indie Game Awards (IGA) due to the studio's use of generative AI tools during development, which violated the IGA's eligibility criteria that prohibit such practices. Mike Towndrow from Six One Indie confirmed the decision, stating that Sandfall Interactive acknowledged the use of generative AI on the day of the award show. As a result, the Game of the Year award has been awarded to Blue Prince, and the Debut Game award to Sorry We're Closed. Sandfall had previously faced scrutiny for its substantial budget, which some argued contradicted the indie spirit.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Fortnite Chapter 7 launches with apparent “AI slop,” days after Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggested Steam should bin AI disclosures

Fortnite Chapter 7 debuted with themes including references to The Simpsons, Quentin Tarantino, and Marty McFly. Concerns have arisen about the potential use of generative AI in the game's advertising content, although Epic Games has not confirmed this. CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that AI will play a significant role in future production, prompting debate in the gaming community. Players have noted peculiarities in the new chapter, such as an advertisement with an "AI smudge look" and inconsistencies in a creature's anatomy, which they believe indicate AI influence. A Marty McFly spray initially thought to be AI-generated was confirmed to be hand-drawn. The lack of clarity from Epic has led to backlash and discussions about supporting genuine artists. The conversation around generative AI in gaming has increased, with concerns that monetizing AI-generated content could lead to player dissatisfaction.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

Epic CEO says AI disclosures like Steam’s make “no sense” because AI will be involved in “nearly all” future game development

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, believes that AI disclosure tags in gaming marketplaces like Steam should be removed, arguing that AI will be involved in nearly all future game production. He expressed optimism about AI empowering smaller development teams to create expansive game worlds. However, he acknowledged that AI's reputation is often negative due to its use as a means of creative replacement rather than enhancement, leading to layoffs in the industry. Major companies like King and Ubisoft have reduced their workforce in part due to AI advancements. Steam had previously introduced guidelines requiring developers to disclose AI usage, with nearly 8,000 games reported to have incorporated generative AI. The actual number is likely higher, as seen in the disappointment over the number of demos using the technology during Steam Next Fest.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Epic boss Tim Sweeney thinks stores like Steam should stop labelling games as being made with AI: ‘It makes no sense,’ he says, because ‘AI will be involved in nearly all future production’

Steam has implemented an "AI generated content disclosure" for games like Arc Raiders, while the Epic Games Store does not disclose AI involvement, a stance supported by CEO Tim Sweeney. Sweeney believes that AI disclosures are unnecessary for game stores, arguing that AI will be integral to future game development. He has previously discussed the potential of AI-generated voices in games, envisioning enhanced gameplay through context-sensitive dialogue. Legal concerns regarding copyright and transparency in AI-generated content remain significant, with some in the gaming community advocating for AI labeling to inform consumer choices. The prevalence of generative AI in gaming is expected to increase, raising ethical questions and player preferences regarding transparency.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

Arrowhead boss calls for middle ground in AI debate

Shams Jorjani, head of Arrowhead Studios, discussed the polarized opinions on artificial intelligence in game development during an interview with The Game Business. He highlighted the significant debate surrounding AI's role in the industry, particularly following controversies related to Embark Studios' use of generative AI in their games. Jorjani noted that opinions on AI range from executives advocating for automation to developers fearing for their jobs. He suggested that a more balanced perspective might be necessary, questioning whether the reality of AI's impact could lie somewhere in between the extremes of the debate.