Valve, the creators of Steam Game, have announced that game developers can now use AI-generated content in their games listed on the platform. However, there is a caveat – the AI-generated content must not be created using copyright-infringing material. Valve’s decision comes in response to a developer, Artoonu, who had his game rejected by Steam for using AI. Artoonu, who specializes in creating NSFW games, said that Valve asked him to confirm that he owned the rights to all the intellectual property used to train the AI in his game. This requirement posed a challenge for Artoonu, as acquiring the necessary rights was nearly impossible. This move by Valve signals their concern about the legal implications of hosting AI-generated content.
Artists are also expressing their anger about AI image generators, as they often use copyrighted material without permission. For example, AI models like ChatGPT pull data from the web that is copyrighted, potentially violating the rights of artists. Voice recordings from years ago have also been used to train AI voice models without the explicit consent of the voice artists. Valve spokesperson Kaci Boyle explained that the legal uncertainty surrounding the data used to train AI models makes it harder for developers to prove that they have the appropriate rights to use AI-generated assets in their games. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the developers to ensure they have the necessary rights before shipping their game.
The use of AI in game development has both positive and negative implications. Critics argue that AI is taking away the rights and work of artists. On the other hand, proponents believe that AI provides a new range of creative tools for developers. Artoonu, for instance, stated that AI enhanced his creativity and allowed him to imagine and create stories without limits. He mentioned that his efficiency doubled, as he could focus on characters and dialogue rather than spending time on drawing.
In other gaming news, two Web3 games, Immutable’s Gods Unchained and AMGI’s My Pet Hooligan, have been launched on the Epic Games Store. Gods Unchained is a trading card game similar to Magic: The Gathering, where each card is a non-fungible token (NFT). Daniel Paez, the executive producer of Gods Unchained, expressed his excitement about reaching a new and diverse player base through the Epic Games Store, which has over 230 million users. My Pet Hooligan, a rabbit-themed metaverse game, also announced its approval by Epic Games Store.
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Ubisoft, a prominent game developer, is collaborating with Oasys, a Japanese blockchain company, to create Web3 games based on Ubisoft and Sega’s intellectual property (IP). Oasys, founded by gaming industry veterans, has previously collaborated with gaming giants such as Bandai Namco and PlayStation. Ubisoft’s first Web3 game, Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles, will be a player-versus-player tactical role-playing game. Sega’s arcade game, Sangokushi Taisen, will also receive a makeover on Oasys’ platform.
In terms of security, a report from Cyble Research & Intelligence Labs warns gamers of a popular fan-made Super Mario game installer that contains malicious software. The modified installer for Super Mario 3: Mario Forever includes programs that mine the privacy-focused cryptocurrency Monero and steal information from users’ machines. This includes browser-stored logins, cryptocurrency wallet keys, and session tokens. The malware is capable of compromising social media and gaming accounts, as well as accessing webcam footage. It is essential for gamers to download games only from official sources, be cautious when downloading mods, and use password managers to secure their accounts.
Lastly, this week’s hot take focuses on a Finnish game called Paradise Tycoon. Created by Empires Not Vampires, this Web3 game offers a balanced mix of collecting resources, crafting, trading, building, questing, and social interaction. The game is set on a tropical island and has gained over 200,000 downloads since its launch on Android and browsers. Unlike many other NFT games, Paradise Tycoon has a simple onboarding process that does not require users to connect a wallet or provide an email address. The cute artwork and user-friendly experience have contributed to the game’s popularity.
