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Subnautica 2 dev confirms there's no gen AI "at all" in its survival sequel
AppWizard
May 1, 2026

Subnautica 2 dev confirms there’s no gen AI “at all” in its survival sequel

The development of Subnautica 2 faced challenges between Unknown Worlds and its publisher, Krafton, but these issues have been resolved. The game is set to release in two weeks, and Scott MacDonald, Creative Media Producer at Unknown Worlds, confirmed that no generative AI was used in its development. He stated that the studio opted for traditional development methods, with all work being done by human programmers. Design Lead Anthony Gallegos noted that Krafton recognizes that mandating AI tools could disrupt the development process. Following a legal ruling reinstating Unknown Worlds president Ted Gill, Krafton is committed to supporting the game's Early Access launch.
S&box makes nearly $1 million on launch day, and yes there are problems but that's okay: 'We love it when things break because then we get to fix them'
AppWizard
April 29, 2026

S&box makes nearly $1 million on launch day, and yes there are problems but that’s okay: ‘We love it when things break because then we get to fix them’

The gaming community has mixed reactions to the release of S&box, the successor to Garry's Mod, with some players dissatisfied and others hopeful for improvement. Facepunch Studios, the developer, reported technical challenges during the launch, including backend issues and a self-inflicted DDoS. Despite these hurdles, they remain optimistic about S&box's future and the role of AI in programming education. The game will not include an AI Assistant button, but Facepunch aims to enhance the discovery algorithm for quality content. They have chosen a forward rendering technique for better visual performance. Financially, S&box generated nearly million on its first day, leading Facepunch to double its Play Fund to million. A patch for S&box has been released to improve the game based on player feedback.
'Eventually the slop will just fall to the bottom': Garry's Mod sequel launches to 'mixed' reviews, but Garry himself isn't worried about AI games on the main page
AppWizard
April 29, 2026

‘Eventually the slop will just fall to the bottom’: Garry’s Mod sequel launches to ‘mixed’ reviews, but Garry himself isn’t worried about AI games on the main page

s&box, the successor to Garry's Mod, has been unveiled as an open-source platform aimed at a mature audience, similar to Roblox. It has received a mixed reception on Steam, with many negative reviews citing issues related to AI-generated content. The platform features hastily assembled games, including one titled Terry's Granny (Now with Co-op!). Newman from Facepunch stated that while the studio does not encourage using AI for game creation, they recognize its value as a learning and productivity tool. He emphasized the importance of human creativity and a balanced approach to AI use, suggesting a 50/50 method. Newman mentioned that Facepunch uses AI mainly in early pre-production phases and views it as a tool for learning rather than a replacement for creative processes. He believes that low-quality AI-generated content will eventually be disregarded by users. S&box is now available on Steam for users to explore and contribute to its community.
Ex-Escape From Tarkov devs say their new shooter "won't be another clone lost in a gray zone," but don't want it labeled as an "'X' killer"
AppWizard
April 27, 2026

Ex-Escape From Tarkov devs say their new shooter “won’t be another clone lost in a gray zone,” but don’t want it labeled as an “‘X’ killer”

Rush is Real is an upcoming shooter game developed by Dmitri Ogorodnikov and German Terekhov under Nomion Games, who previously worked on Escape From Tarkov. The game is currently in the prototyping phase and aims to differentiate itself from generic multiplayer experiences by being fast-paced and structured, avoiding slow gameplay typical of extraction shooters or battle royales. It will feature clear objectives and promote player skill, with a design philosophy focused on simplicity and clarity. Rush is Real intends to merge elements from games like Call of Duty and Escape From Tarkov while appealing to a broad audience, balancing casual and hardcore gaming. The development team emphasizes the importance of human creativity in the game's final design, despite the potential use of artificial intelligence in the process.
Owlcat says everything in its new Expanse RPG 'will definitely 100 percent be human-made,' but also that generative AI will be used for 'vision coordination' and 'inspiration'
AppWizard
March 29, 2026

Owlcat says everything in its new Expanse RPG ‘will definitely 100 percent be human-made,’ but also that generative AI will be used for ‘vision coordination’ and ‘inspiration’

Owlcat's PR manager, Katharina Popp, clarified that generative AI is used in the development of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn only for prototyping and testing ideas, not for creating final game assets. Popp emphasized that all final content will be 100% human-made. This stance aligns with the studio's previous communications regarding AI's role in early concept generation. Other developers, like Pearl Abyss, have expressed similar views, stating that AI-generated art is intended only as prototype material. The gaming community's response has been mixed, with some expressing skepticism about the use of AI in creative processes.
Owlcat is using generative AI for The Expanse Osiris Reborn, but the final game will be "100% human made"
AppWizard
March 27, 2026

Owlcat is using generative AI for The Expanse Osiris Reborn, but the final game will be “100% human made”

Owlcat has admitted to using generative AI in the development of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, specifically for prototyping and placeholders, which will be replaced before final assets are created. PR manager Katharina Popp clarified that this approach is intended to streamline development, allowing for rapid iteration. However, this decision has sparked debate among fans, many of whom prefer human creativity over AI-generated content. Owlcat previously stated that generative AI was not used in their other titles, raising questions about their commitment to originality. The community has expressed resistance to the technology, with some players stating they do not want to play games that incorporate generative AI.
Microsoft is using AI slop to promote Windows 11 features, and it’s painfully obvious
Winsage
March 16, 2026

Microsoft is using AI slop to promote Windows 11 features, and it’s painfully obvious

Microsoft utilizes AI-generated images in its Windows Learning Center blog posts, tagging them with “AI Art Created by Copilot.” By late 2025, Copilot had integrated image generation capabilities powered by ChatGPT, leading to the use of AI visuals in promotional content. However, the header images in these posts are not confirmed to be AI-generated. The company faces criticism for its reliance on AI, with social media backlash against its initiatives and the Windows 11 operating system. There are concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated images, which could mislead users. Microsoft is encouraged to promote human creativity to regain consumer trust and compete effectively with alternatives like macOS.
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
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.
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