Gamescom 2026's Opening Night Live showcase has brought attention to a growing tension within the video game industry: the increasing prevalence of generative AI alongside concerns about layoffs, studio closures, and rising hardware costs. Host Geoff Keighley acknowledged the evolving landscape, noting that while some changes are exciting, others are cause for concern.
This duality was evident in the lineup of games presented. Some titles featured in the showcase were already known to incorporate generative AI. For instance, the developers of Crimson Desert issued an apology to players for its use of AI-generated assets and pledged to remove them in future updates. Similarly, after players identified AI usage in 1666: Amsterdam, its developers also stated that changes would be made. Sega's Crazy Taxi: World Tour has faced criticism for its use of generative AI, which some believe has detracted from the return of the beloved classic. Zoopunk is employing generative AI for its user-generated content tool, allowing players to create in-game assets.
Steam's disclosure requirements have shed light on AI usage in several other games. Project Zeta, Aion 2, Train Sim World 7, Like or Die, and PUBG Ded.Net all list varying degrees of generative AI usage on their store pages. One game, Aniimo, a Pokémon-like RPG, did not initially disclose its AI use on Steam, but developers later confirmed on Discord that generative AI was utilized in some aspects of its development. In contrast, Aniimo's developers stated AI would not be used for designing the game's world or characters.
For games that do not explicitly disclose AI usage, a cloud of suspicion can still form, particularly when their publishers have demonstrated significant investment in or use of generative AI in other projects. Road Kings, developed by Saber Interactive, faced scrutiny due to the company's prior use of generative AI in another title, which was not initially disclosed on its Steam page.
Publishers are also making significant investments in AI. Hoyoverse, developing the ONL-featured Nodus Fall, has invested $14 billion in in-house generative AI tools for applications like AI NPCs. Krafton, publisher of Tarae: The Unbound, has declared itself an "AI-first company" with its own suite of AI tools. NetEase, which publishes Ananta and Sea of Remnants, has highlighted its AI capabilities, calling the technology a "foundational competency" in its earnings reports.
The inclusion of games with AI ties at an event that also addresses rising hardware costs and layoffs has drawn criticism. Some developers are attempting to mitigate potential backlash by clarifying their AI usage. The strategy game Humankind 2 faced immediate accusations of using AI for its live-action trailer, prompting the developers to clarify that it was filmed at Nu Boyana Film Studios and that proof would be provided.
Jonas Kyratzes, narrative designer for Talos Principle 3, expressed concern that generative AI currently functions as a "plagiarism machine that makes people lose their jobs." He conveyed a desire for hope that the technology can be a positive force, but acknowledged its current troubling aspects.
The common phrasing in many AI disclosures, such as "we promise we only used genAI in the ideation process and everything in the final game was created by human hands," suggests an awareness among developers that players and creators are wary of the technology. These statements appear to be an effort to mitigate reputational damage. As generative AI continues to integrate into game development, maintaining vigilance and vocalizing concerns about its quiet adoption is crucial for those who value the craft of video games.