Game developers cancel upcoming public demo out of fear of AI copycats
AI has allowed for quick cloning of video games, and one developer is taking steps to prevent that.
Tension is brewing between the video game industry and the growing use of AI tools, as evidenced by the recent cancellation of a public demo for the indie game, Drunken Goddess Reflux. The game's premise, involving consuming alcohol until a demon vomits up her soul, is reportedly too unique for any AI to replicate. However, developers Alliance Arts have decided to cancel the demo due to fears that AI could swiftly clone the game and release it before the original launch, potentially harming their financial interests.
In a statement on X, the developers expressed concern over the ease with which AI tools could replicate the game's content and gameplay, making it difficult for the developers to control the release of such AI-generated works. While livestreaming was also a concern, the decision to cancel the demo primarily stemmed from the fear of AI tools being used to create imitations before the official release.
This issue is not isolated, as Kotaku previously reported on the rapid cloning of indie games by AI, and Steam has seen a rise in games developed with AI assistance. While these AI-created games may not match the original handcrafted games, they can still negatively impact the original developers' reputation and market position.
Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.