AJS News - First Descendant Uses AI Look-Alikes, Monster Hunter Issues, Steam Loses Paypal?!

Quick Overview

The First Descendant uses AI-generated look-alikes of streamers without permission, sparking backlash. Monster Hunter Wilds faces continued performance issues and a new crash bug after a recent patch. Steam has removed PayPal as a payment option in many regions due to issues with processing transactions for adult-content games, while Borderlands 4 controversially markets "30 billion guns," and a new Event Horizon comic prequel is announced.

Key Points: First Descendant is using AI-generated advertisements that feature digital clones of streamers without their consent, leading to significant backlash and accusations of "stealing likeness" and "impersonating another person." Monster Hunter Wilds is experiencing ongoing performance issues, with a new patch introducing a crash bug that occurs when players faint and fast travel, contributing to continued negative Steam reviews. Steam has removed PayPal as a payment option for users in Switzerland, Poland, Norway, and Mexico due to processors deeming certain "not safe for work" games as adult content, a move that forces Valve to find new high-risk payment partners. Borderlands 4's marketing claim of "30 billion guns" is heavily criticized as misleading hyperbole, with the discussion emphasizing the need for genuinely unique guns and quality writing over inflated numbers. A prequel comic series titled "Event Horizon: Dark Descent" is set to be released, exploring the events leading up to the movie with a "hard R rating" and "big gory swings." A former Google exec warns that AI will lead to a "short-term dystopia" by taking away many jobs, countering optimistic claims about AI creating new employment opportunities.

Context: This news segment from AJS News discusses several current events in the gaming industry. It features commentary on the ethical implications of AI in advertising, ongoing technical issues with popular game titles, changes in digital payment processing for gaming platforms, and critiques of game marketing strategies. The discussion also touches upon broader concerns regarding AI's impact on employment and the future of the gaming landscape.