The sales gap probably isn't about AI — it's about the signal AI art sends to buyers. "This studio didn't invest" reads as "this game wasn't worth investing in."
Festro•1h ago
They're more likely to just be bad games, that's all. Not because of the AI but because of the mindset of a dev who cuts corners and does things without experience in that field.
Yes, consumers will judge the book by its cover if they see AI art. But this extends beyond AI art, to generative code-produced games.
And if a game is good, despite AI art, its reviews will somewhat reflect that (unsure how much negative review bombing AI art games get). And once a game has positive reviews it can see strong sales - that's currently a powerful driver on Steam.
uberman•1h ago
They are more likely to be bad because the bar has been lowered and more groups can make games. That is different than AI results in bad games.
Frankly, there are types of games I love and I would happy spend money on if there were more of them made even if they were 100% AI generated.
yiggnewer•1h ago
> Frankly, there are types of games I love and I would happy spend money on if there were more of them made even if they were 100% AI generated.
What kind?
In the last decade or so I saw at least two game genres, traditionally dominated by one or two major titles, suddenly explode in diversity as smaller studios and independent developers rode a wave.
In almost every case, the explosion of new games failed to compete long term. Often they just lacked the ability to pump out content and stay at least superficially fresh like the giants. Many of them may have had interesting ideas, but were too limited. This was prior to LLMs were fully unleashed to the public too.
uberman•52m ago
So, I would love me a single player space opera with over the shoulder mechanics. Like fallout crossed with xcom crossed with mass effect crossed with outer worlds. Give me 12 of those a year and while we are at it throw in a half dozen fantasy games with a similar vibe. I'll probably get them all if they are like 20 or 30 bucks a pop.
The thing is, it does not have to be massive or sell a million copies. From my perspective, it only needs to sell one copy (to me). If the art is AI even if the plot is AI, I don't much care. I really don't care one way or the other if the art is 100% AI. I don't care if the inventory system was developed by AI. In a future gaming utopia (for me) I would sit down at my console and just describe the game I want to play and AI would build it on the fly for me. I might pay hundreds of dollars a year for such a capability. Perhaps thousands if it truly worked.
I know than many people got irritated by nvidia's DLSS as AI slop but I could not care less. If it means that smaller studios can make games that I might like I say bring it on. If someone will not purchase a AAA game because it has an AI smell to it then I guess that is their prerogative. Seems to me to be cutting your nose off to spite your face though.
almarcher•1h ago
Well this article is doing as much work as the AI art they criticize.
"presents evidence that the use of generative AI may be negatively affecting game sales significantly. The exact numbers are hard to pin down, since AI usage isn't accurately reported, and Steam does not publicly disclose sales figures"
smartformulapro•1h ago
Festro•1h ago
Yes, consumers will judge the book by its cover if they see AI art. But this extends beyond AI art, to generative code-produced games.
And if a game is good, despite AI art, its reviews will somewhat reflect that (unsure how much negative review bombing AI art games get). And once a game has positive reviews it can see strong sales - that's currently a powerful driver on Steam.
uberman•1h ago
Frankly, there are types of games I love and I would happy spend money on if there were more of them made even if they were 100% AI generated.
yiggnewer•1h ago
What kind?
In the last decade or so I saw at least two game genres, traditionally dominated by one or two major titles, suddenly explode in diversity as smaller studios and independent developers rode a wave.
In almost every case, the explosion of new games failed to compete long term. Often they just lacked the ability to pump out content and stay at least superficially fresh like the giants. Many of them may have had interesting ideas, but were too limited. This was prior to LLMs were fully unleashed to the public too.
uberman•52m ago
The thing is, it does not have to be massive or sell a million copies. From my perspective, it only needs to sell one copy (to me). If the art is AI even if the plot is AI, I don't much care. I really don't care one way or the other if the art is 100% AI. I don't care if the inventory system was developed by AI. In a future gaming utopia (for me) I would sit down at my console and just describe the game I want to play and AI would build it on the fly for me. I might pay hundreds of dollars a year for such a capability. Perhaps thousands if it truly worked.
I know than many people got irritated by nvidia's DLSS as AI slop but I could not care less. If it means that smaller studios can make games that I might like I say bring it on. If someone will not purchase a AAA game because it has an AI smell to it then I guess that is their prerogative. Seems to me to be cutting your nose off to spite your face though.