The controversy over generative AI in game development has become increasingly fierce, and the AI usage instructions for a recent Steam game “Bahast” unexpectedly sparked a civil war among developers. The development team admitted on the store page that due to lack of funds, they had to use generative AI to produce some art materials. Unexpectedly, this explanation attracted many colleagues to criticize, and some even choked: “I am unemployed now, but I still draw all the materials one by one by myself!”
The reason “use AI only if you don’t have money” is untenable!
According to GamesRadar, “Bahast” stated in the AI disclosure section of Steam that the team’s current financial situation is insufficient, so it can only rely on generative AI to produce some materials, and emphasized that if its operations are stable in the future, it will gradually reduce the use of AI.
However, this statement did not receive much sympathy. An independent developer bluntly stated on the social platform that he is currently “completely unemployed”, but he still insists on making all the materials in the game by himself. He believes that insufficient funds cannot be a reason for extensive use of AI, which has also resonated with many colleagues.
Can AI be used? There is still no consensus in the gaming community
In recent years, generative AI has gradually entered the game development process, and Valve has also adjusted Steam’s AI disclosure specifications to focus on the AI-generated content ultimately provided to players, rather than simply improving development efficiency.
But for many developers, what really makes players pay is never the AI, but the work itself. AI may save time and costs, but if “lack of money” becomes a universal reason, it will only make this debate about creation and tools more intense.