The rise of generative AI is impacting more than just game developers and players, extending its influence to publishers like Finji. Last week, discussion centered on Nvidia’s DLSS 5 and its potential as a turning point for AI within gaming, a trend that hasn’t always resonated with users, as evidenced by reactions to Larian and recent statements from Capcom.
Finji, the publisher behind acclaimed indie titles like Night in the Woods and Tunic, is now grappling with the implications of AI on its workflow. Rebekah Saltsman, CEO of Finji, recently spoke with PC Gamer about the challenges of discovering promising new games in a post-AI landscape.
“You would not believe the number of AI-generated games that are coming into our inbox. Much more than I’ve seen before,” Saltsman stated. She noted that some developers are submitting projects with AI-created art, a practice she discourages. “It’s better to send us boxes and art made by programmers that show us the mechanics if you’re presenting your project to people like us. We are game designers. Our job is to help you assemble a team that turns the game into something incredible. You don’t need to understand everything.” This trend highlights the growing accessibility of AI tools and their potential impact on creative workflows.
To address this, Finji has updated its contracts over the past year to include clauses allowing the company to terminate agreements if AI-generated content is discovered without prior disclosure. According to the company, this measure is intended to avoid potential legal issues. “Nobody owns all of that stuff that the AIs make. You can be sued for theft.”
Saltsman concluded with a strong statement about her company’s stance: “I’m tired of seeing it […] We’re not going to participate in this market, in this technology, and it’s not going to appear in our games. I’m sure that’s unpopular for a CEO to say, but I don’t care, I’m an independent developer. I make video games and I don’t need it.”
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