The AI in video games debate has been in overdrive over the past few days, after Larian boss Swen Vincke revealed that the studio will use generative AI for concept art and placeholders. As you can imagine, there’s been plenty of discourse over it, with fans and developers weighing in with differing opinions. Even Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s GOTY win got dragged into it.
Late last night, Warhorse Studios boss Daniel Varva posted a rather long tweet with his opinion on the matter. Unlike the other devs, who have been careful to say that AI was only used in development, Varva said he would embrace it if it allowed him to make games faster. The problem with his statement is that he doesn’t pick a lane.
KCD2 Boss Weighs In On Video Game AI Debate
Varva’s extremely long tweet has a lot to take in. He mentions the dangers and ethical conundrum of using gen-AI in game development, but also goes on to say he’s all for it if it helps him make more games faster. This isn’t the first time he has made this point, but at least last time he hoped that it wouldn’t replace actual devs. In this latest rant, he seems well aware that programmers could be replaced by AI, but “How many horse breeders lost their jobs thanks to Henry Ford!?”
“I’m no fan of AI generated art, but anyway, it’s time to face reality. AI is here to stay with us. As frightening as it may be, that’s the way it is,” he continued, adding that AI is way more difficult to recognise in music. “On the other hand, you know what I hate most about making games? The fact that it takes 7 years and 300 people and tens of millions of dollars to make. And the fact that Tom had to spend 500 hours in the studio recording completely generic heckling and generic bars.”
It Would Suck If Every RPG Was Like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Recent comments by Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 director Daniel Vávra have me reflecting on the future of RPGs.
Considering the brilliant performances that Tom McKay and Luke Dale put into the game, I’m not sure I agree with his point. I’d rather that they record every single dialogue by themselves and get paid for it. I’m sure they’d agree as well.
Varva’s main point was that AI will help him put his ideas much faster and at a cheaper cost. He also brought up the idea of AI chatbots for NPCs in games, like Where Winds Meet already does. However, he then swings back the other way by saying, “Or Skynet will destroy us before all that.”
- Released
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February 4, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
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Warhorse Studios
