Josh has been playing video games for longer than he can remember, kicking things off with a Master System before upgrading to a Mega Drive. Covering the industry since 2018, if a game has a strong story – or even better, the decisions you make determine the course of that story – odds are he’s going to like it. Or, you know, put Sonic or Pikachu on the cover and that’ll get his attention too.
Generative AI, and its use in video games, has, unfortunately, become the hot topic that it looks like we’re going to end the year arguing about. It doesn’t seem to have hurt the sales of the games wrapped up in it, though, as all four of Steam’s best-selling paid games right now are connected to the most recent spate of AI accusations and confessions.
Arc Raiders, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Battlefield 6, and Baldur’s Gate 3 are the four best-selling paid games on Steam right now, as highlighted by GermanStrands on Twitter. Those first three have either been accused of using AI during the development process or outright admitted it, while Baldur’s Gate 3 has done neither, but it was the admission of Larian, its developer, that it used gen AI during the planning process of its next game, Divinity, that kickstarted all this.
Games That Use Generative AI Are Selling Really Well On Steam Right Now
Larian boss Swen Vincke admitted the development team behind Divinity used generative AI to “explore ideas,” unaware of the backlash that confession would cause. The situation has snowballed since then, not only via fans turning on Larian and its processes, but via other, in most cases entirely unrelated, games getting caught in the crossfire.
Larian defenders were quick to point out that if this is how we’re going to react to the use of gen AI during Divinity development, then Expedition 33 deserves the same backlash. AI-generated images were discovered in the Game of the Year winner as Sandfall noted they were placeholders left there accidentally. Those images have since been replaced.
It’s unclear whether Sandfall’s use of AI extended beyond that, as Sandfall’s COO previously admitted to using AI during the development of Expedition 33. Revisiting that interview, coupled with a renewed hunger by gamers to root out and punish any game that uses generative AI, resulted in Clair Obscur having one of its game of the year awards revoked last week.
Arc Raiders Includes AI-Generated Voice Work
Months before the Larian debate, Arc Raiders used AI to give some of its NPCs voice lines. Meanwhile, Battlefield 6 was dragged into the debate over the weekend after players called out what they believe to be AI-generated imagery in the game. Four games that are all connected to the gen AI controversy, so somewhat ironic, and perhaps worrying for some that they are the four best-selling paid games on Steam right now.
While the use of gen AI certainly isn’t driving sales, it doesn’t appear to be affecting them either, at least in the short term. Arc Raiders’ AI use has been known about since launch, pretty much, and Divinity defenders had to go digging for something that was already public to make people care about Sandfall’s AI use in Expedition 33.
Curious how generative AI is reshaping studios, assets, and player reactions? Subscribe to the newsletter for in-depth coverage and nuanced analysis that untangles AI-related controversies and what they mean for games.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
It does feel like, whether we like it or not, the use of generative AI in video game development is here to stay, particularly if those games continue to top the charts despite backlash. It’s ultimately up to the consumer whether they engage with those games. That relies on studios clarifying whether AI was used, and on storefronts insisting that games carry an AI label if it was used during their development.
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.
That’s an empty problem that you critics are driving yourselves. The vast majority of players just don’t care if developers use or not AI. And if using AI will make those games cheaper, better and faster to be made, then… great.
it’s about politics. About ideology. About being a radical militant in the public debate (fewer common folks then you think) about the duality between technological progress and creative workforce and labor market in modern society.
Gaming consumers don’t care about that. And, are the end, that’s why you’re all making this outlet not much more than an ideological pamphlet, approaching the issue as radicals.
Like History always shows us, progress will prevail, change will come and societies and economies will adapt as more resilient they are. What can be done politically is negotiation, conversation, and with due moderation.
Treat those companies as villains is just to adolescent and immature for my taste.
2025-12-22 14:06:41
Ths only people who care about this are the same people who utilize cancel culture, publicly shaming people into submission. Those people likely don’t account for too many sales, but just work in the industry hold the bullhorn, trying to make it seem like it’s something “everyone” cares about.
2025-12-22 18:44:12
I care about wether the game was made with the help of GenAi or not. And no, i dont participate in cancel culture and dont care about publicy shaming others. If thats the new norm with games, thats completely fine for me. I just play other stuff then. Its just that easy.
2025-12-23 11:16:54
Florian You’re here literally virtue signaling say you don’t do that… I’ll trust your actions over your words, tyvm.
2025-12-25 19:17:19
I look forward to eating from the trough, guzzling the slop.
2025-12-23 04:23:06
No one cares except a very specific, small group of very loud people. The moment the quality of games from the Larian’s and Sandfall’s drop, they’ll be blasted for it. Until then, you guys should probably sit Jason down and tell him how bad his bs interview made him look. No dev with a lick of sense will ever give him another interview. And your failed attempts at outrage farming? Only make the rest of you look just as bad.
2025-12-25 19:42:10
