Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is advocating for a shift in how digital storefronts, particularly Steam, handle the disclosure of generative AI usage in game development. This comes just weeks after Sweeney argued that generative AI should not be a factor in video game reviews.
Sweeney’s core argument is that generative AI is becoming an increasingly integrated tool in the game development pipeline. He believes that requiring developers to explicitly disclose its use to consumers is unnecessary for the average player. According to Sweeney, such disclosures are only truly essential in specific legal contexts, such as proving authorship or clarifying digital art rights for buyers.
The implication is that for the general gaming audience, this information could be superfluous and potentially off-putting. Sweeney suggests that learning about the use of generative AI might lead to player apprehension or a decreased willingness to engage with games that employ these technologies, a category that now includes titles like Fortnite.
Our Take: The AI Disclosure Debate
This stance from Tim Sweeney touches on a complex and rapidly evolving issue within the creative industries. While the desire to streamline the user experience is understandable, the debate around AI disclosure highlights a tension between transparency and practicality. As AI tools become more ubiquitous, the lines between traditional development and AI-assisted creation will continue to blur. The question remains whether consumers have a right to know the tools used in creating their entertainment, especially when those tools raise ethical or authorship concerns. The gaming industry, with its significant technological adoption, is at the forefront of this discussion, and platforms like Steam play a crucial role in setting disclosure standards.
This story was based on reporting from Rock Paper Shotgun. Read the full report here.