Tim Sweeney claims it’s a “Scarlet Letter” which makes players “try to kill the game”

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has criticised rival Valve for forcing studios to disclose when they use AI in game development.

Epic recently showed how it was integrating AI into Unreal Engine 6.

Time Sweeney said:

“If you want to launch a game, and get it as widely publicized as possible, you’ve got to put it on Steam so people can wish list it, and if you want to play it on Steam, then you have to get this Scarlet Letter of AI attached to your product, and now there is a hater community trying to kill the game.

“I think it’s really irresponsible of Valve. They shouldn’t do it, because it makes it much, much, much harder for a game developer to have a chance of success. You have to choose from either not using tools that can make you way more productive, and probably failing due to competition that does.”

Which is totally ignoring the factor that the user should know about the purchase it makes and be able to decide for themselves. Transparency for the player is not a bad thing.

top 91 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 141 points 4 months ago (6 children)

So, if a dev uses AI, they fail because of haters, but they also win because they're more productive than devs that don't?

Being strong and weak at the same time is always a fun rhetoric.

Also, afaik, Valve only asks for disclosure of generative AI for asset generation, not productivity tools like coding assistance.

  • source
  • hideshow 6 child comments
  • [–] 45 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    not productivity tools like coding assistance

    Given how Microsoft has really jammed AI code-assist down the throats of developers whether they want it or not, it would be kinda crazy if they did. The "contains AI" tag would be on virtually everything that touches Visual Studio, hollowing out its value as an indicator.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] [S] 15 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    I think that is a valid point. That's why Valve changed the initial policy. If I remember right, in the beginning it was "Ai" in general, without this distinction. But this is still not 100% clear (even if we assume the devs are not lying). In example is generating code with Visual Studio "generative Ai"?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 4 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    You just don't understand Sweeney logic. If you use AI you are more productive as a developer so you win, but you can't win because you need to let everyone know you used AI so you lose. So to keep the winners winning you need to make sure the thing that makes them lose doesn't happen.

    Okay, in all seriousness I can understand his developer-centric takes but it's pretty clear he still treats gamers, the actual consumers of the product, as cattle. We exist only to give money to game developers so they could make games, at least according to satan Sweeney. I was just wondering if he's finally come around with all the improvements the Epic store is getting but no. Let's just hope that bright mind at Epic gets to keep their job because it's pretty clear it wasn't Sweeney's idea to improve the Epic store.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago

    As something of a developer myself, I'd argue he has a developer-centric take. He's probably more focused on profits.

    I'd say a developer wants to create a quality product rather than hastily cobbled together slop. Especially when we're talking about asset generation. Sure, you save money and time by churning out generic AI assets, but you gain quality from an actual artist. I guess improvements on the Epic Store are exactly that.

    Funny how the greedy of the gaming industry never understand that quality gets them money rather than quantity.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 50 points 4 months ago

    I don't get it, if AI is so great and the future, wouldn't you be happy to disclose your use of it in your product?

  • source
  • [–] 86 points 4 months ago

    Very “if we stopped testing for COVID there would be no cases” energy.

  • source
  • [–] 75 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    Sweeney's not a fan of informed purchase practices. Good to know, Tim, I'll make sure to not float any cash your way.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 29 points 4 months ago

    I bet sketchy food producers also balked at the idea of ingredient lists when they were first rolled out. If you're offering something to others and think they might not like something you used in it, maybe it's better to avoid the thing rather than complain that you're being forced to tell people about it.

  • source
  • [–] 26 points 4 months ago

    I want to play quality games crafted by hand with love and intention and an artistic vision that the author brings to life.

    Anybody who tries to argue that their product won't sell if the consumer is well informed doesn't make a quality product worth buying anyway.

  • source
  • [–] 50 points 4 months ago

    Transparency sucks
    -- Every snakeoil salesman ever

  • source
  • [–] 24 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    He thinks his game won't sell because it has the AI scarlet letter but if he doesn't use it, his competition would have an edge over him because they use AI.

    Does he realize how stupid he sounds since they would then have the scarlet letter of AI and his game wouldn't and would then sell better.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

    I can't even get mad, I find it genuinely funny that that's the argument he came up with to elaborate on why AI disclosure mandates are irresponsible.

    It's full-on "no one reads past the headline anyway" effort-level without understanding that people who read past the headline are his only possible reachable demographic, because not looking past the headline is defaulting to the easy assumption that Epic is just spewing garbage.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago

    It's still stupid, but he's talking about review bombing forthcoming AI games across all platforms because they disclosed on steam vs forthcoming AI games that aren't listed on steam that don't disclose on other platforms.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 46 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Usually it's more responsible to disclose things.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 40 points 4 months ago

    Timmy is just mad because his new game engine pressures devs to fill their games with AI slop, and Steam will force their developers to disclose it.

  • source
  • [–] 19 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

    AI content is so loathed and despised that the influencers, film studios, software developers who have embraced it are simultaneously all desperate to downplay, lie and hide it.

    But definitely not a speculation bubble! Keep repeating to yourselves that demand for AI is real and that people really value all the nauseating disgusting chatbot generated "art" and "insight" that you're spewing upon humanity.

  • source
  • [–] 35 points 4 months ago (13 children)

    Hmm... Do I side with Epic, famous for:

    1. Apple app store lawsuit because they didn't get enough of the profit
    2. Google play lawsuit, ditto.
    3. Paying publishers to release games exclusively on Epic Games Store, pushing up prices to gamers.
    4. Many allegations by former allegations about toxic work culture, very long working hours, especially "crunch" times leading to burnout and mental health issues.
    5. Aggressive loot boxing and monetization of games specifically targetting children.
    6. Having to settle a lawsuit with the FTC for $275m to escape prosecution for breaching children's privacy laws and forced to issue a further $245m in refunds to customers who were victims of "dark patterns" employed by Epic.

    Or with Steam?

  • source
  • hideshow 13 child comments
  • [–] 20 points 4 months ago (8 children)

    arent lootboxes a problem with valve too?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 8 child comments
  • [–] 18 points 4 months ago (6 children)

    They effectively created the modern videogame lootbox, yes. However they haven't been caught with their pants down specifically targeting children with them, unlike Epic.

    Still, fuck valve for lootboxes

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
  • [–] 6 points 4 months ago* (5 children)

    Its so hard to get annoyed at them for it though. Prior to valve a few other companies were doing it, but the items effected gameplay - pay to win bullshit.

    Valve created cosmetics or balanced rare items at worst. They even quit charging to actually play the game (TF2 was their first). Meaning, you could play, and be as good as anyone else for no cost to you at all.

    The fact that grew into a real world market, maybe that is where the complaint is? They have banned 960,000 accounts they thought were farming in 2026 and another 40 they knew were openly real world selling.

    Yet I understand your point: people consitantly say stupid ass things like "my account has $250,000 worth of items!" when in reality digital shit shouldnt be "worth" anything. Its digital. It does not exist. But people cant help themselves in "buying" a crate and hoping to get the item that is "worth" something.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 5 child comments
  • [–] 6 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Kind of a tangent, but

    when in reality digital shit shouldnt be “worth” anything. Its digital. It does not exist.

    Should a book have no value just because it was written on a computer and published as an ebook? Are CDs, DVDs and blurays worthless as soon as you access their content? Is photography a joke to you?

    Just because digital goods are cheaper and easier to reproduce doesn't mean it's worthless.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 3 points 4 months ago

    In this context they are though. For example a color scheme for an in game asset, that only works when a companies server is running a game, is worthless the minute the game ends.

    I mean I guess you could take a screenshot and try and enjoy that, but you can't take it with you in any other way.

    Also a tangent: this is why DRM makes everything worthless. If you have a book (digital, written on computer) that is scrambled to never let you access it unless you have one specific decoder, it effectively is worthless. Even if you have a digital copy.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 4 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    Making the game free was part of the model of the loot boxes - people are less likely to get invested in your moneymaker if they have to pay for entry to the casino

    But yes. Despite being in many ways the first iteration of what cosmetic loot boxes are nowadays, they weren't the most predatory about it

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago* (1 child)

    I still find it hard to be annoyed, who is stupid enough to pay for digital goods? Oh wait NFT's were a thing once....

    Should I feel sorry for stupid?

    Kids are stupid, and its not their fault. They are by definition learning how not to be. Those i suppose I care about.

    Like a casino did they try hard to keep them out? Maybe not hard enough. Did their parents? Probably not.

    Everyone else that pays for lootboxes? Meh, adults make their choices.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 3 points 4 months ago

    I don't think its fair to put the blame on stupid people when you have the best minds of the modern age finely tuning advertising and visual effects and psychological trickery to entice people into specific, addictive, behaviours

    The only reason casinos try hard to keep people out is because of laws - there are no where near the same kinds of regulations about lootboxes

    Anyway - we broadly agree with eachother and I think we both made our point :P

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 8 points 4 months ago (3 children)

    It's bizarre seeing people side with Google and apple over their absurd walled garden percentages.

    Not liking Epic doesn't mean Google or apple are in the right.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 4 months ago

    The percentage is the wrong problem and regularing app stores is the exact opposite of what android and iphone really need, which is an unrestricted experience of using alternative app stores.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    I don't think they claimed google or apple were right in those cases. Everyone can be wrong.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago*

    They presented those two suits as being knocks AGAINST Epic, while snarkily misstating the premise of the cases.

    Apple, in particular, was egregious in trying to force charging a percentage for things purchased NOT through their app store. By that same standard, Apple would also take a 30% cut of shit bought off of the Amazon app.

    So, yes, they heavily implied it. I know everyone can be wrong. That was MY point.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 49 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    can we have two weeks without a shit take from Tim Sweeney ?

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 17 points 4 months ago

    They see that AI badge lowers their profits so of course they are lobbying against such thing. Big corps are not your friends.

  • source
  • [–] 33 points 4 months ago

    Tim Sweeney claims it’s a “Scarlet Letter” which makes players “try to kill the game”

    Yes, and?

  • source
  • [–] 16 points 4 months ago

    Epic Games CEO can go fuck himself!

  • source
  • [–] 16 points 4 months ago

    Complete lack of self-awareness making such a statement.

    In order to be successful, games have to launch on our competitors platform!

    Moron.

  • source
  • [–] 15 points 4 months ago

    “If you want to launch a game, and get it as widely publicized as possible, you’ve got to put it on Steam so people can wish list it, and if you want to play it on Steam, then you have to get this Scarlet Letter of AI attached to your product

    You don't have to, just don't use A.I. Easy.

  • source
  • [–] 15 points 4 months ago

    It's wild that a CEO can just say this out loud without a mob of haters trying to kill their product.

  • source
  • [–] 15 points 4 months ago

    If you’re proud of your use, it’s a non-issue, if you’re ashamed of it, why are you using it?

    Transparency is only ever an issue when concealment and deceit are core elements of the activity.

  • source
  • [–] 14 points 4 months ago

    Tim Sweeney continues to be a whiny jealous entitled bitch, more at 11.

  • source
  • [–] 26 points 4 months ago

    "we should be able to lie and sneak ai in. If they found out they wouldnt want it, and the people paying for it shouldnt have any say in the matter"

    Utterly deranged take, as expected from him

  • source
  • [–] 43 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Weird way to admit they're using AI, but OK.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 11 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    If what Steam does is such a problem for everyone involved, why doesn't Sweeny make a better product himself then?

    Oh, he has but it's worse?

    Whould've thought!

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] [S] 5 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Remember when Epic Games Store launched and Tim defended the barebones functionality and quality, in comparison to how Steam launched barebones back then? That was his justification. Having real competition is a good thing, but it has to be a competition, not exclusivity. GOG does a good job and providing value.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 10 points 4 months ago (4 children)

    While I think I understand what he means with regards to catching hate for being marked "AI". I think it should be marked, but give a scale of sorts. Then it is easier for people to decide what things they are "okay" with vs what they aren't. Like "AI voice over" is different than a game done "Mostly/completely AI". Which would also help the random people that really like AI to find games using it (obviously that crowd is niche).

    Maybe allow marking in detail elements that are AI place holders for Early Access games, where the dev is a small team or single person (no excuse for AAA games with huge budgets). The context matters, and people that don't want any AI would already be leaving really bad reviews when they find out AI was used at all (along with demanding refunds). Could even be good for those Early Access games to find people to work with in replacing the place holders if people see things are still needed and reach out.

    Would also be good if the same kind of scale markers could be applied to games that don't use AI but do use pre-made assets. Not like AI is the only cause for all the slop games.

  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 4 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Isn't this literally what Steam does? Every game I've looked at that has an AI tag explicitly states where/when AI is used and, usually, its for stuff in development that gets switched out. Not always, mind you, but thats usually the tag that I see. Stuff like Liar's Bar will then also have the tag saying AI Voices and what not.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago

    I hadn't noticed, but cool that they already have something more transparent than just a vague "AI is used" stamp (and nice to have some tiny validation to my headspace not being a terrible idea lol). Then it for sure means the Epic Games guy is just reaching for weird hills to die on.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 child)

    My god!
    A well thought out and reasoned opinion? I can't believe it took me this long to leave reddit!

    Honestly, if visual elements are ai created I am not sure I even care. AI is (now) really good at that and if it saves the devs weeks or months of drawing graphics that they can spend on the story or the action of a game, I (so far) think I am ok with that.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago

    lol I'll take the vote of approval! Currently the topic gets boiled down to "everything AI is slop" automatically, but removes situations where it can be used as a tool in a more "correct" sense. I would be happy if devs/studios started using it on some level to help bring back real optimizations so some games would actually use hardware to the fullest. And not just rely on people just constantly buying new GPUs or feel like the high-end hardware is a requirement.

    Just need to make sure to test and re-test the results, and maybe good devs would actually go back to see how the optimizations were done to try doing it themselves (and not just get lazy/dumb in their own code). The cash grab vibe-coded slop stuff should be called out at all times. Just like the pre-AI asset flipping shit that was already flooding stores. Would also be great if bad reviews call out specific issues and not just blanket say "AI crap" or something like that to help other people have a better picture of things.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 10 points 4 months ago

    I don't care that much, but I rather have that information then not.

    Tim Sweeney

    Fuck him, and fuck Unreal engine.

  • source
  • [–] 10 points 4 months ago

    His last "point" doesn't make any sense.

    You have to choose from either not using tools that can make you way more productive, and probably failing due to competition that does.

    If "you've got to put it on Steam" and Steam tells you whether a game used AI or not, then everyone is on the same playing field.

    That means if you think your game will fail because everyone is boycotting AI games, you are free to not use AI... and you won't "probably fail due to competition that does," because their games are also on Steam!

    Hope I am explaining what that sounds like to me (a contradiction of his whole statement).

    Also he can go to hell. Gaming is being kept alive by Steam and It's always little timmy trying to tear it down with his shitty manipulations. Why doesn't he buck up his ideas and go make an actual competitor to Steam?

  • source
  • [–] 9 points 4 months ago

    What a nincompoop, an ignoramus! A real maroon!

  • source
  • [–] 9 points 4 months ago

    Some people will be turned off, some people won't care. Don't see the issue of labelling games as containing AI assets as some people want to support games made through 100% human input, give them that ability.

  • source
  • Epic sucks, unreal sucks like nobody acts like mcdonalds is the worlds best burger because it sells a lot, it's easy cheap junk food. But these software ceos think they actually produce great software when it's just easy cheap junk too.

  • source
  • [–] 8 points 4 months ago

    Why should they fail when the competition fails by default in his argument.

  • source
  • [–] 8 points 4 months ago

    Take a shot whenever you hear or read 'Epic Games CEO says'. Physically impossible to read that shit sober.

  • source
  • [–] 8 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    “If you want to launch a gamesnack, and get it as widely publicized as possible, you’ve got to put it on Steamstore shelves so people can wish listsee it and if you want to play it on Steameat ot, then you have to get this Scarlet Letter of AIingredients attached to your product, and now there is a hater community [of parents] trying to kill the gamesnack. ... I think it’s really irresponsible of Valvethe FDA. They shouldn’t do it, because it makes it much, much, much harder for a game developer snack company to have a chance of success. You have to choose from either not using tools that can make you way more productiveyour product way more addictive, and probably failing due to competition that does [in less regulated markets?]."

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 15 points 4 months ago

    Boo fuckin' hoo, Tim.

  • source
  • [–] 14 points 4 months ago
    [–] 7 points 4 months ago

    Sure sweeney, how about you address your defence of Grok doing kiddy stuff first.

  • source
  • [–] 13 points 4 months ago* (2 children)

    With an attitude like this, you have to wonder how many EA development teams are simply going to lie when prompted.

    Not that they've released a game worth playing in a long time, but this makes me suspect the entire studio is drowning in AI slop.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 13 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Ai is great for EA slop. A "new" sports game every year that is the same as the last with some stat changes.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 5 points 4 months ago

    I mean, I don't even mind that on its face. If you really feel like you need to pay $80 to get the roster on your FIFA soccer game updated... that's between you and the business bros that run your local sports game sweetshop.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 12 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 child)

    It’s not really surprising, they’re forcing so many slop tools into ue6 that they don’t want to ruin another engine’s reputation after ue5’s disaster.

    They’re not interested in actually doing the thing that would earn positive reputation though, they’d rather hide it

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] [S] 9 points 4 months ago

    they’d rather hide it

    This is the part that upsets me most. That tells a lot about the person and their business. How can I trust someone who tries to hide information that I care about?

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 6 points 4 months ago

    Hey Tim grab deez nuts dickhead.

  • source
  • [–] 6 points 4 months ago

    Fuck off, Sweeney.

  • source
  • [–] 6 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    If disclosing the use of genai will make a game fail, then not using it can't make studios "fail due to conpetition that does", because said competition will fail. You just said that, Tim.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago (1 child)

    You didn't read correctly. He said that you either have to not use GenAI or fail due to competition that does (not use GenAI). So yeah, that's as it should be.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago

    Yeah, but just a paragraph before he said that using genai will make your product fail due to boycott. Thus, a game that does not use genai can't fail to competition that uses it because they themselves will fail.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 11 points 4 months ago

    Bro is just salty cause he has to admit he likes using AI slop if he wants to publish on steam

  • source
  • [–] 5 points 4 months ago

    how about fuck off?

  • source
  • [–] 11 points 4 months ago

    Wait, so studios will have to avoid using AI tools, but then other people that do use those tools will be eating their lunch? Either there are a significant number of people that will base purchasing decisions on whether a game used AI in production, or there are not. This is a trivial question to answer by polling customers, or looking at what happens with competing products in your market segment, or any other variety of basic market research. Companies have to work with questions like this constantly.

    Epic is exclusively mad because they think there are many people that will avoid (or pay less for, or delay purchase, or expect higher quality, or more worthwhile content, or... Anything like that) games that are produced with AI, and every game made with UE6 will have to bear that scarlet letter, and suffer lower sales. If they really believed you can make much bigger and better games with the new tools, then they would do it, and people will get over their skepticism to play fun games.

  • source
  • [–] 11 points 4 months ago*

    Epic games can shove it's corporate opinion up it's own corporate ass.

  • source
  • [–] 7 points 4 months ago*

    Imagine using AI, an environmentally and moral impact. People should be aware of that before making any kind of purchase; Valve not only agrees with such, but also is enforcing such policies in places they can enact such causes. Those who cry out it’s unfair are the people who want to hurt the environment and the people (both workers and customers)

    No one’s asked nor wanted this treatment. Tim swiney has horrible takes and should be processed like any other capitalistic pig

  • source
  • [–] 6 points 4 months ago

    oh nooo, I'm so scared of my game losing to the competition using AI tools that everyone fuckin hates. Whatever will I do to have value in the eyes of the customers?

  • source
  • [–] 6 points 4 months ago
    [–] 3 points 4 months ago

    What a piece of shit. Stfu.

  • source
  • [–] 3 points 4 months ago
    [–] 11 points 4 months ago*

    As a fan of AI, I want disclosure. Just as tech vegans get to avoid AI, I too would be able to actively seek out games that are doing neat things with it. Disclosure is good for everyone.

  • source
  • load more comments
    view more: next ›
    101 comments in c/technology@lemmy.world view that post
    35 comments in c/games@lemmy.world view that post
    17 comments in c/gaming@lemmy.zip view that post