"Frontier Developments Backtracks on AI-Generated Portraits in Jurassic World Evolution 3 Amid Fan Outcry"
In a rare instance of a game developer listening to its community, Frontier Developments has reversed its decision to use generative AI to create portraits of scientists in Jurassic World Evolution 3, following a wave of criticism from fans on Steam. The UK-based studio's U-turn comes after a heated debate erupted on the platform, with players accusing the company of being "lazy" and "insulting" to human artists.
The controversy began when Frontier Developments disclosed on Steam that AI-generated portraits would be used in the game. Fans were quick to express their discontent, with many arguing that the use of generative AI would reduce game quality and creativity, while also taking jobs away from human artists. The backlash was loud enough to prompt the developer to thank Steam users for their "feedback" and confirm that it would no longer use generative AI for scientist portraits in the game. The decision has significant implications for the gaming industry, which is increasingly divided on the use of generative AI. While major companies like Microsoft, EA, Embracer, Sony, and Epic Games have thrown their weight behind the technology, citing its ability to reduce production costs and timescales, others argue that it comes at the cost of creativity and human jobs.
The debate around generative AI in the gaming industry has been simmering for some time. Proponents of the technology argue that it can usher in entirely new experiences and reduce production costs, while critics argue that it is a threat to human creativity and jobs. The issue has sparked heated discussions on social media and online forums, with some players calling for a boycott of games that use generative AI. In the case of Jurassic World Evolution 3, the use of AI-generated portraits was seen as a particularly egregious example of the technology's encroachment into the creative process. Fans argued that the decision was "lazy" and an "insult" to human artists, who have traditionally been responsible for creating character portraits in games.
Frontier Developments' decision to backtrack on its use of generative AI is a significant victory for fans who are concerned about the impact of the technology on the gaming industry. However, it also raises questions about the broader implications of generative AI in the industry. As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more examples of AI-generated content in games. Whether or not this is a good thing remains to be seen. For now, fans of Jurassic World Evolution 3 can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their game will feature human-created portraits rather than AI-generated ones. However, the debate around generative AI is far from over, and it will be interesting to see how the gaming industry responds to this issue in the coming months and years.