Image: MAGES. Inc.

In a strange move, visual novel studio MAGES. Inc., the makers of STEINS;GATE RE:BOOT, are working on a new FPS game on Steam. Now, you wouldn't think that would be too strange – developers produce games, after all – but this one is noteworthy because the game is practically 100% AI-generated (thanks, PC Gamer).

The game in question is called Juggernaut, and MAGES isn't exactly shy about the amount of AI used in its creation; in fact, it even openly discloses it and seems almost proud of it on the Steam page, which lists the following data on AI usage:

Source code: 100%
Graphics: 60%
Sound: 50%
Effects: 100%

This isn't the only thing, however; you can purchase an optional DLC that gives you access to the "Juggernaut Assets Maker" which, of course, is also coded with AI, and is advertised to be able to make things "more POP", "more Japanese", and finally, "sexier".

This tool seemingly allows you to create your own assets without the need to "wrestle with a mountain of complicated tools... whatever twisted idea is rattling around inside your head, bring it to life... Building enemy behavior feels like solving a puzzle, and creating maps is basically pixel art."

I wish I could say I was surprised, but with the current climate, I think we'll see this a lot more often, and the ball is now in the storefront owners' court to crack down on blatant, inexcusable AI use like this.

Any excuse of them being inexperienced in the genre also doesn't hold up, as rival visual novel developer Nitro Plus dropped their great, weird, and wacky action game Dolls Nest just last year, meaning that this kind of studio can actually make a different genre of game, without any need for AI, and do it extremely well.

[source pcgamer.com]