Does AI Makes Games Good? #goty #expedition33 @thegameawards

Quick Overview

The video concludes that despite negative backlash regarding AI usage in development, games from developers embracing generative AI are currently dominating Steam's top 10 best-sellers list, suggesting player demand is not significantly harmed by AI controversy alone, as evidenced by successful titles like ARC Raiders and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Key Points: Half of Steam's current top 10 best-selling games are from developers who have embraced generative AI in their development processes. Games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Warhorse Studios faced initial criticism over AI use, but this did not halt their commercial success. The speaker highlights the upcoming GTA VI release (May 26, 2026) as an example where an advanced LLM-style chatbot system is expected to be used for NPC interactions. The speaker praises Frictional Games' previous title, SOMA (a decade old), as having the best-written story they have ever experienced, setting a high bar for narrative quality. Frictional Games' new title, ONTO S, is shown, which the speaker suggests will build on the complex philosophical concepts regarding consciousness and humanity explored in SOMA. The video implies that player demand for high-quality experiences, exemplified by games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, outweighs negativity surrounding AI usage in production.

Context: The video discusses the ongoing debate within the gaming community regarding the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) in game development, contrasting negative community sentiment with recent commercial success on platforms like Steam. The host references specific games that used AI, such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and contrasts this with highly anticipated titles like Grand Theft Auto VI, which is expected to incorporate advanced AI systems, to argue that player demand for quality content often supersedes controversy over development methods.

Detailed Analysis

The video addresses the controversy surrounding generative AI in game development by showcasing evidence that suggests player demand is not significantly deterred by its use, as evidenced by Steam's current top 10 best-sellers list, where half the entries come from developers who embraced AI tools for art, voice work, or other assets. The speaker notes that while games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and previous titles from Warhorse Studios received backlash, their commercial performance remains strong. The discussion transitions to future AI applications, mentioning GTA VI's expected LLM-based NPC interactions. The host then pivots to critically acclaimed narrative games, praising Frictional Games' SOMA (released 10 years prior) as one of the best-written games ever experienced, particularly for its exploration of consciousness and humanity. He then introduces Frictional Games' spiritual successor, ONTO S, which he predicts will continue exploring similar complex, high-quality narrative concepts, suggesting that excellent storytelling remains the ultimate driver of game success, regardless of the tools used in its creation.