Games to Skip from Opening Night Live Due to GenAI Quality Issues
The gaming landscape is feeling more overwhelming than ever, especially after the recent Gamescom 2026 Opening Night Live showcase, which introduced a slew of exciting titles. However, the rise of generative AI is casting a shadow over some of these promising games, adding a new layer of complexity to the industry. This tension was palpable during Geoff Keighley’s latest event.
“It’s no secret that the video game industry is undergoing significant changes,” Keighley remarked on stage. “While that’s thrilling, it’s also a bit daunting. It seems like every week brings news of layoffs and studio closures, and the ongoing electronics storage and memory crisis is making game hardware pricier than ever.”
This surge in costs isn’t happening in isolation; it’s being fueled by some of the very companies that showcased their games during the event.
Several titles highlighted at Gamescom ONL were already known to incorporate generative AI. The developers of *Crimson Desert* issued an apology to players regarding the game’s use of generative AI and committed to removing the problematic assets in future updates. After players identified generative AI in *1666: Amsterdam*, its developers also pledged to make adjustments. Meanwhile, Sega appears indifferent to the backlash surrounding generative AI in *Crazy Taxi: World Tour*, which has dulled the excitement for this beloved classic. In contrast, *Zoopunk* is utilizing generative AI for its user-generated content tool, allowing players to create in-game assets.
The only reason we’re aware of AI usage in some cases is due to Steam’s disclosure requirements. Titles like *Project Zeta*, *Aion 2*, *Train Sim World 7*, *Like or Die*, and *PUBG Ded.Net* have adhered to these rules, featuring store pages that outline varying degrees of generative AI involvement. One game, *Aniimo*, lacks a disclosure on its Steam page, but the developers acknowledged on Discord that they are using generative AI in certain aspects of developing their Pokémon-like RPG.
“AI will NOT be used to design our *Aniimo*, nor will any AI prototypes be used in *Idyll*. AI is assisting us in various ways (e.g., testing), but it’s not creating the world of *Aniimo* for us.”
*PUBG: Ded.Net* is among the titles showcased at ONL that has openly disclosed its use of generative AI.
Gamescom was a two-hour showcase, but what about the other games presented? This is where things get murky. Some titles didn’t explicitly disclose generative AI usage and may not even utilize it, yet their developers’ strong endorsements of generative AI through significant investments or its application in other projects cast a shadow of suspicion over them.
It’s unfortunate that such scrutiny is necessary, and that games free of generative AI might be unfairly scrutinized. We’ve already seen instances where developers failed to disclose generative AI usage on Steam until they were caught. For example, *Road Kings*, developed by Saber Interactive, faced backlash over undisclosed generative AI use in another title.
On the investment front, Hoyoverse, which is developing the ONL-featured *Nodus Fall*, has invested $14 billion in in-house generative AI tools aimed at powering AI NPCs and other applications. Krafton, the publisher of *Tarae: The Unbound*, is making similar strides, announcing its commitment to becoming an AI-first company with its own suite of in-house AI tools. NetEase, which publishes both *Ananta* and *Sea of Remnants*, has boasted about its generative AI usage, stating in an earnings report that the technology “has become a foundational competency for our development and operations.”
At this point, it feels almost naive to call out Keighley for trying to balance both sides—highlighting rising hardware costs and widespread layoffs while showcasing games that contribute to these issues. As long as the funding is flowing, it seems he’s unconcerned that the events he hosts may inadvertently promote generative AI practices. It feels disingenuous to lament the rising costs of consoles while featuring companies that are investing in the technology driving those prices up.
The casual integration of generative AI has led to some developers being viewed as guilty until proven innocent. The strategy game *Humankind 2* was revealed during the Gamescom pre-show, prompting immediate accusations from viewers who claimed its live-action trailer looked like AI-generated content. The developer quickly clarified that the trailer was filmed at Nu Boyana Film Studios in Sofia and promised to release behind-the-scenes proof soon.
“I think in the current system, it’s just a plagiarism machine that makes people lose their jobs,” said Jonas Kyratzes, narrative designer for *Talos Principle 3*, in a recent interview. “But I want to have hope that it’s a good thing. It’s very troubling to me.”
The prevalence of generative AI disclosures featuring messages like “we promise we only used generative AI in the ideation process and everything in the final game was created by human hands” indicates that developers are aware of the backlash from gamers (and fellow developers) regarding this technology. These vague reassurances seem aimed at mitigating reputational damage. It’s crucial for those of us who value the artistry of video games to remain vocal when generative AI quietly infiltrates the industry, especially since those with the largest platforms and the power to take a stand often choose not to.
