placeholder assets Archives

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

XCOM spiritual successor Warhounds dumps its gen-AI portraits, and I’m breathing a sigh of relief

Everplay is developing a turn-based strategy game called Warhounds, inspired by classics like XCOM and Jagged Alliance. The game faced criticism during its Steam Next Fest demo for using generative AI for character portraits, which were described as "shiny, unrealistic, and completely at odds with the look of the game." In response to community feedback, Everplay clarified that the AI-generated portraits were temporary placeholders and announced plans to replace them with over 100 hand-crafted designs. The new portrait system will create images directly from each character's in-game 3D model, ensuring visual consistency and accommodating custom recruits. Warhounds features an accuracy system that calculates bullets individually, eliminating random misses, and introduces meaningful consequences based on player decisions. The game is set for release in 2026, with a wishlist option available on Steam and a free demo for players.

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

Veteran indie developer scared to reveal new game in case it gets “slurped up by AI”

Lucas Pope is a notable game developer known for creating "Papers, Please" and "The Return of the Obra Dinn." He has since worked on smaller projects, including Mars After Midnight, but has not released anything on Steam recently. During a podcast, Pope expressed concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on game development, particularly regarding idea theft and the potential for his work to be copied or imitated. He feels uneasy discussing ongoing projects due to these risks and reflects on the pressure of following up his previous successes. Despite these worries, Pope's reputation allows him to avoid some challenges faced by less-known developers, and his next project is expected to generate significant interest.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

In defense of placeholder assets: why generative AI accidentally appears in so many games

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn has acknowledged the use of generative AI in its development, while Pearl Abyss apologized for unintentionally including AI-generated assets in Crimson Desert. Other games like The Alters and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have faced similar issues with AI elements. Developers are increasingly cautious about AI integration, with some, like Arc Raiders, moving away from AI-generated voice actors. When AI-generated art appears, developers often claim these were placeholders, which raises concerns about their inclusion in final products. Josh Sawyer highlighted the importance of distinguishing between temporary and final assets in his project Pentiment. The creative process relies on human vision and artistry, which generative AI cannot replicate. Additionally, the environmental impact of AI technology is a concern due to the energy demands of data centers. Developers' claims of unintended AI assets raise questions about transparency, contrasting with Owlcat's open acknowledgment. Players react negatively to AI-generated artwork, leading to swift apologies from developers, highlighting the tension between AI use and artistic integrity.