GamesRPGWarhammer CRPG dev confirms it’s using AI for concept development on its next project as players call on the studio to “do better"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRPGWarhammer CRPG dev confirms it’s using AI for concept development on its next project as players call on the studio to “do better"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Owlcat Games)
Owlcat Games, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, as well as Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Path of the Righteous has confirmed that it’s using artificial intelligence as a development tool for its next project, which has already caused some serious controversy.
Last week, Owlcat Games published an advertisement for a new concept artist role at the studio, which mentioned that applicants are required to have experience in using AI and machine learning technology such as Midjourney and DALL-E to generate concepts. Understandably, this raised concerns that the studio may be using AI to generate art for its games.
Responding to this, Owlcat hasconfirmedthat while AI hasn’t been used in its previous games, it is utilising it in the development of its next project, which is currently unannounced and in the early production stages. Furthermore, it has removed all mentions of AI from the job listing since it “may be misinterpreted”, it added.
R.I.P pic.twitter.com/F9atzIZi1bMarch 2, 2024
R.I.P pic.twitter.com/F9atzIZi1bMarch 2, 2024
“We use a neural network to find direction and inspiration before developing concepts for our upcoming project, which is currently in early development and unannounced.”
This statement hasn’t stopped many from being disappointed in the studio, however. While the studio claims that no AI-generated art will be shown in the final version of the game, there are serious concerns regarding potential copyright infringement when using AI tools to generate images. After all, the technology has to learn from somewhere, and the images it produces are created from the amalgamation of others' work. Therefore, AI-generated art is inherentlynotunique, so using it as a source of inspiration is questionable, to say the least.
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Not only that, but particularly as many talented developers are losing their jobs due to layoffs in the games industry, the idea that AI is being used more and more in place work that real developers could be paid for. While in this case, the use of AI was included as part of a job description, there have been calls for Owlcat to focus on hiring staff to support all stages of the development process, as has been done in the past. Ultimately, the message from many on Twitter is simply for the studio to “do better”.
“This is a disgusting and disappointing response. Your games are excellent, but I will not touch your projects in the future if this is your policy going forward. Do better,” one userresponded.
“This is not any better, at all. There are professionals you can work with that will help do concepts and internal processes! No AI is required,” anotherwrote.
“Piss poor explanation. Concept artists have been able to ‘find inspiration’ without the use of these tools just fine. Do better,“saidanother.
Beyond reiterating the same points further, at the time of writing, Owlcat Games hasn’t commented further on the situation, and the job opening – albeit without the additional AI-centric details – is still available on its website.
If you’re looking for something new to play, you can find some top picks on our list of thebest RPGs.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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1
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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
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5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”