At the recent Steam Next Fest, over 500 demo versions of games utilized Generative AI in various aspects of their development. This significant number, representing roughly 17% of the festival's demos, signals a growing trend in the gaming industry.
Generative AI in Game Development
According to disclosures, developers used AI for numerous tasks. These included marketing and creating assets for the Steam store, as well as generating in-game art, audio, translation, coding, writing, and even aiding in ideation and in-game live calls. The strategic use of AI in these areas suggests a shift in development practices.
- The AI was used for concept art, complete art, and placeholders.
- Audio elements such as music, sound effects, and voiceover relied on AI.
- Translation and coding also saw AI integration.
- Cloudheim, the most-played AI-disclosing demo, employed AI mainly for internal communication.
This reflects an industry grappling with the advantages versus potential drawbacks of AI in development processes.
Implications for Human Roles
Noodle Cat Games emphasized that no personnel, such as artists or engineers, were replaced by AI. Despite this assurance, developers and studios face pressure about the long-term impact on human creativity and employment in gaming. Embark Studios' Arc Raiders noted AI's role in content creation without altering existing human roles, echoing industry concerns around job security and authenticity.
Instances of gaming titles revealing AI-generated assets only after quality concerns arise highlight ongoing transparency issues. As seen in previous situations like with The Alters, AI use is raising critical questions about nondisclosure and the balance between digital assistance and human craftsmanship.
