"Video games are finished" and the blame is on AI

The backlash against generative AI (and, in fact, all forms of AI used in video games) has only intensified, and players are not the only ones condemning it, especially since the presentation of Nvidia’s DLSS 5: publishers and developers are also joining the criticism.

According to GamesRadar, the founder of the independent game publisher No More Robots, Mike Rose, has harshly criticized the use of generative AI in games, particularly that used to create content or art within the game, and believes there is no turning back.

“As the young people say: video games are done”

Although it did not make a direct reference to DLSS 5, Rose did not hesitate to share his negative opinions about generative AI, stating: “From the specific perspective of an editor, it is tremendously annoying. If we thought the number of games being released on Steam was crazy before, now it is simply impossible.”

“During the last [Steam] Next Fest, it seemed that about a third of the demos had graphical material or content generated by AI. So now we also have to compete with that. Hooray!” comments the founder.

If you think Rose might be exaggerating, remember that generative AI has been evident in recent games like Crimson Desert (with the game’s mural art, even if it wasn’t intentional). Additionally, it has had a notable presence in more significant titles like Activision’s Call of Duty Black Ops 7.

This means that both renowned games and independent titles are using generative AI, and little by little, AI tools are becoming normalized in the video game industry, and that is not a good thing, especially after seeing what DLSS 5 does with the game’s character models.

“Honestly, don’t you think it looks disgusting?” says Rose, directly referring to the appearance of AI-generated art. She continues: “It doesn’t matter that many of us don’t like generative AI. It’s going to be used now, and it will be used more and more. As the young people say: video games are done for.”

With the launch of DLSS 5 expected by the end of 2026 and gaming giants like Capcom and Ubisoft on board, the evidence of what Rose claims is clear.

It could be said that the video game industry is already in a phase of using generative AI where it is inconceivable to return to normality, although the negative reaction is clearly growing, which may be a comfort to those who oppose this technology.