A new action RPG released on Steam sparked heated discussion among other game developers after its creator argued that using generative AI to expedite development was essential, but insisted reliance on the tech could be reduced with more money coming in.
Bluesky user Aura/Moom, or game dev and animator Aura Triolo, flagged the Steam AI disclosure of Bahast, a new "dark fantasy idle ARPG." (Triolo only shared the blurb, but other people quickly dug up the game.)
The disclosure reads: "This game uses AI in various places. A a [sic] solo developer it was nearly impossible to put out this game in a meaningful time frame or act on feedback without leveraging AI as a tool. I'm happy to reduce AI usage if the game is financially stable enough through your support! Thank you in advanced [sic] if we ever get that opportunity."
This stance has been a sticking point in discussions of gen AI in games and game development. GamesRadar+ spoke to over 30 developers about the topic, and heard myriad arguments against gen AI as a tool despite claims of greater efficiency. (An incoming follow-up report will focus more on the perspectives of indie developers, who were likewise negative on the tech.)
Industry figures like Epic Games head Tim Sweeney insist that AI-aided development will be essential going forward.
Bahast's claim prompted fierce rejection from many developers online. "'If you pay me maybe I'll use LESS AI' is a new desperate plea I haven't seen before," writes Triolo.
"The 'I'm just a little solo dev' thing also really doesn't work for us solo/tiny devs who have made things without using the art-stealing-cheat-machine," replies David Lindsey Pittman of Eldritch maker Minor Key Games.
"Just learn to scope and stop being a whiny baby," says Alexandre Stroukoff, half of Squeakross studio Alblune.
"I'm literally unemployed and I still make all of my assets by hand," adds solo developer Mtgames. "Why? Because it's FUN."
"If you exclude Steam's publishing fee, and the $5 I spent to get TIC-80 Pro back in 2019, I have not spent a single penny developing either Prism Indigo or Prism Warriors," chimes in Ryan Nurse, solo dev at Altrix Studios, maker of the retro Prism games like the upcoming Prism Warriors DX. "Not to preach to the choir or anything but 'I have no money' is a bullshit excuse to use genAI in your game."
A recent survey found that relatively few Steam users have a major issue with AI in games, though its conductor warned that using AI will still cost you sales, and the relevant question and surveyed demographic don't seem to perfectly match the broader audience.
