Lucas Pope Remains Silent on Upcoming Projects Amid AI Concerns
Lucas Pope, the developer celebrated for creating Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, is intentionally withholding details about his future work due to concerns surrounding artificial intelligence.

As of April 12, 2026, it has been confirmed that Pope is actively working on several projects and possesses a wide array of new ideas. However, he is currently unwilling to discuss these developments publicly. This hesitation highlights the growing tension within the creative industry as developers navigate the disruptive influence of generative AI on original intellectual property.
Pope’s previous success with Return of the Obra Dinn—which is available on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One—has established him as a pivotal figure in innovative indie game design. His decision to maintain secrecy around his current ventures underscores a broader caution regarding the impact of AI on the digital economy and the future of independent craftsmanship.