20-year-old Gunz the Duel gets Steam re-release, receives harsh criticism over network issues and suspected use of generative AI

Gunz the Duel, a 3rd-person action game initially launched in 2006, has been relaunched on Steam after years of anticipation. However, the highly anticipated return of the genre-defining title has been marred by various technical issues and allegations of AI usage. Initially developed by MAIET Entertainment, the game is now under the management of Masangsoft. Despite the game gaining organic hype from older PC players who fondly remember their time with Gunz, the Steam release has been met with harsh criticism.

Players have reported significant technical issues with the game, including malfunctioning in-game events and gifts, and a gameplay experience that differs from the original title. Inconsistent flinching and staggering after blocking an enemy have been highlighted as problematic elements. Additionally, some players suspect that generative AI has been used throughout the game, despite the absence of a generative AI disclosure on the Steam page.

The game's reliance on generative AI, along with the developer's failure to follow Steam guidelines for AI use, has sparked outrage among the community.

Furthermore, the game's performance has been plagued by high ping rates, NAT connection issues, and the resurgence of old bugs from the beta version. The developers, Masangsoft, have been largely silent and unresponsive to player feedback, which has fueled speculation that they are using AI. The situation has become so severe that some players are even accusing the developers of employing AI themselves.

The dissatisfaction extends beyond Steam, as the Gunz the Duel Reddit community is filled with complaints about hackers, plain-looking UI, network problems, and AI-related issues.

However, not all players are facing a negative experience with Gunz the Duel. Some have adapted to the rough aspects of the game, finding solace in playing an old favorite. Moreover, Masangsoft has recently conducted server maintenance to address networking issues, suggesting that some of the most severe problems may be resolved in the future. Nevertheless, Gunz the Duel has faced a challenging start, and it remains to be seen whether the developers can turn the game around or at least improve its overall performance.