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Steam Next Fest

Fortnite Chapter 7 launches with apparent "AI slop," days after Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggested Steam should bin AI disclosures
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.
Epic CEO says AI disclosures like Steam's make "no sense" because AI will be involved in "nearly all" future game development
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.
New Viking RPG fusing Baldur's Gate 3's combat with KCD2's bawdy charm sets a launch date, and you can try a demo now
AppWizard
November 22, 2025

New Viking RPG fusing Baldur’s Gate 3’s combat with KCD2’s bawdy charm sets a launch date, and you can try a demo now

Norse: Oath of Blood is a turn-based RPG featuring twins Gunnar Gripsson and Sigrid Gripdottir on a quest for vengeance after their father is betrayed and murdered. The game combines tactical battle systems with a rich narrative and character interactions. It utilizes advanced motion capture technology and aims to capture the human aspects of Viking culture. The release date is set for February 3, 2026, on PC via Steam, with a free demo currently available.
PUBG creator's roguelike survival game with machine learning-generated worlds hits Steam early access next month – the first step toward "realistic Minecraft" for "millions of players"
AppWizard
October 29, 2025

PUBG creator’s roguelike survival game with machine learning-generated worlds hits Steam early access next month – the first step toward “realistic Minecraft” for “millions of players”

PlayerUnknown Productions, an independent studio, will launch its first title, Prologue: Go WayBack, on November 20, entering early access on Steam. This single-player survival game features roguelike elements and is the first part of a trilogy envisioned by Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, who aims to create a dynamic survival ecosystem called Project Artemis. Prologue: Go WayBack includes challenging first-person survival mechanics and a free roam mode. The development of this game is part of a larger initiative to create a technology platform for large-scale emergent play, utilizing a proprietary engine called Melba.
With the survival feel of Valheim and daunting dungeons, this medieval city builder finally has a release date
AppWizard
October 27, 2025

With the survival feel of Valheim and daunting dungeons, this medieval city builder finally has a release date

Dungeons and Kingdoms is a medieval city-building adventure game that combines settlement management with action RPG gameplay. Players manage a group of refugee settlers on a mysterious island, facing challenges such as predators and ancient ruins while building their settlement. The game features survival mechanics, including foraging, crafting, and resource harvesting, with over 500 unique building pieces available for creative expression. Players can terraform the environment and engage in combat reminiscent of soulslike games. The game has generated nearly 200,000 wishlists after its demo at Steam Next Fest and is set to launch in early access on November 17, priced at .99.
The new Painkiller is out now and it's not great, but that's okay because the old Painkiller still is and there's a fantastic new mod that makes it look like a brand-new game
AppWizard
October 24, 2025

The new Painkiller is out now and it’s not great, but that’s okay because the old Painkiller still is and there’s a fantastic new mod that makes it look like a brand-new game

The latest Painkiller game has been released on Steam, continuing a trend of sequels that fail to capture the original's essence. It offers a competent but unremarkable co-op shooter experience, reminiscent of Doom, with decent graphics and smooth performance. The game has received a "mixed" user rating on Steam, with players expressing disappointment in its failure to deliver the promised experience. The original Painkiller from 2004 remains a cult classic, praised for its chaotic gameplay and unique style. Additionally, the RTX Remix mod for the original game has significantly enhanced its visuals, winning an award in Nvidia's RTX Remix contest, although it is still in development and has some stability issues. The new Painkiller does not stand out against contemporary titles, and the original is recommended as a worthwhile purchase for fans of the genre.
Over 500 Steam Next Fest demos used generative AI, and I've never felt more disappointed
AppWizard
October 22, 2025

Over 500 Steam Next Fest demos used generative AI, and I’ve never felt more disappointed

Over 500 demos at the October 2025 Steam Next Fest disclosed the use of generative AI in their development processes, accounting for 17% of the offerings. Developers primarily used AI for marketing and Steam store page assets, but it also extended to art, audio, coding, writing, and in-game interactions. The demo Cloudheim was the most popular, indicating AI was used for "internal communication." Concerns have arisen regarding job security for professionals in the industry, as reliance on AI increases. Some games, like Arc Raiders, have vague disclosures about AI's role, leading to noticeable issues such as awkward dialogue. The lack of transparency about AI-generated assets is also troubling, with some games not disclosing AI usage until players notice discrepancies.
As the Steam Next Fest wraps up, Valve shares some of the seasonal event's most-played demos – and they range from chaotically comedic co-op games to brutal Braveheart-inspired roguelikes
AppWizard
October 21, 2025

As the Steam Next Fest wraps up, Valve shares some of the seasonal event’s most-played demos – and they range from chaotically comedic co-op games to brutal Braveheart-inspired roguelikes

Valve has compiled a list of the 50 most-played demos from Steam Next Fest 2025, featuring a mix of anticipated releases and indie games. Notable titles include: - Half Sword: A medieval combat simulator praised as a "massive early breakout." - Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era: A turn-based strategy game with over a million wishlists. - YAPYAP: A co-op horror game that combines magic and comedy, utilizing players' voices for protection. - Tears of Metal: Earned an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating for its engaging narrative and gameplay. - Quarantine Zone: The Last Check: A zombie apocalypse game where players act as a doctor to prevent infected individuals from breaching a military stronghold. - Cairn: A zen rock-climbing experience that has become popular for its tranquil yet challenging gameplay. - Skate Story: A skateboarding adventure game. - Desktop Defender: A casual idle game offering a laid-back gaming experience. The event showcased a diverse range of titles appealing to various gaming preferences.
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