copyright concerns Archives

AppWizard

October 5, 2025

Valve yoinked a new Counter-Strike 2 map out of the game after just 2 days, either for potential Disney copyright infringement, a ‘gamer word’ hidden in its data, or both

On October 2nd, Valve introduced new community maps for Counter-Strike 2, including one named Transit. However, on October 4, Valve removed Transit from official matchmaking due to potential copyright concerns and an inappropriate entity name. The term "gamer word" refers to a commentary on PewDiePie's use of a racial slur during a 2017 Twitch stream, highlighting issues of language in gaming communities. Initially, four community maps were listed in the update, but Transit was removed shortly after. An easter egg in Transit featured a cat on a zipline, but it was overshadowed by the discovery of a racial slur in an entity name. Rikuda, a co-designer of Transit, took responsibility for the oversight. Speculation also arose regarding a building in the map resembling a structure from Phineas and Ferb, raising concerns about copyright infringement. The incident illustrates the challenges developers face in managing user-generated content.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Over half of Japanese game companies are using AI in development according to a new survey, including Level-5 and Capcom

A survey by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) revealed that 51% of Japanese game companies are integrating artificial intelligence into their operations. The applications of AI include generating visual game assets, story and text generation, and programming assistance. Additionally, 32% of the companies are using AI technologies to aid in the development of in-house game engines. Level-5 is extensively using AI for tasks like visual upscaling and character creation, while Capcom has chosen to avoid generative AI due to copyright concerns. Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke views AI as a supportive tool for enhancing productivity, emphasizing the importance of human creativity in the process.

AppWizard

November 1, 2024

Decart AI Releases Minecraft Game-Alike, Oasis

Decart AI, an Israeli company, has launched an AI-driven game called Oasis, which is the first playable "open-world" AI simulation. The game utilizes advanced AI technology to create a real-time, Minecraft-like environment, generating gameplay based on user inputs. Players can download Oasis from Decart's website, where the AI simulates physics, rules, and graphics as they play. There are concerns about copyright issues regarding the use of Minecraft gameplay footage for training purposes. Decart plans to optimize Oasis with upcoming AI accelerator chips for enhanced performance and aims for future versions to support up to 4K gameplay. The game is designed to provide personalized experiences and endless replayability, representing a shift in game development towards dynamic, user-driven interactions. Oasis is part of a growing category of generative AI models, achieving high frame rates and paving the way for more advanced applications in entertainment.