Facebook Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 107

63% Of Gamers Are Highly Negative Towards Generative AI, Especially The Younger Demographic

Story Highlight
  • 63% of gamers hold a very negative opinion towards generative AI use in game development.
  • Older players are more ok with studios using the technology, while the 13-24 demographic is less keen.
  • In addition, players who care a lot about levelling up encourage the use of AI in development, but those interested in narrative do not.

The use of Generative AI in video games has arguably been the hottest topic in the gaming community this year, with one developer or another bringing it up every passing week. Larian is the most recent offender in this debate, as the studio admitted it uses AI tools for a variety of tasks.

Many have come to the defence of the Baldur’s Gate 3 developer, but fans haven’t been so kind, as they think using the technology even in the initial stages is immoral. A new survey now shows that this attitude isn’t going away anytime soon, as most gamers hold this opinion.

Why This Matters: Studios have more or less confirmed that they will continue using generative AI in development, so it’s necessary that fans keep rebelling, or else it will become the norm.

Generative AI survey
Most gamers aren’t too keen to apply generative AI in video games.

Quantic Foundry conducted a survey recently, which revealed that 63% of players hold a “very negative” opinion of generative AI usage in game development. Overall, 85% of the answers were on the negative side, while only 7.6% of the participants responded positively to the application of generative AI.

The survey also stated that older gamers are more positive towards the technology. 22% of the People over age 45 were ok with video games using generative AI, but this ratio fell to just 7% in the 18-24 demographic.

Children reacted to the practice with even more negativity, as only 3% of the gamers between the ages of 13 and 17 held a positive opinion of generative AI.

Interestingly, players who cared more about narrative, NPC backstories, and customization were unwelcoming to the idea of generative AI, while those who valued “levelling up” and other similar mechanics were more accepting.

expedtion 33 ai
Even GOTY winner Expedition 33 used Generative AI during development.

Considering how even GOTY 2025 winners Expedition 33 used generative AI in development, the technology isn’t going anywhere, especially with studios like Ubisoft championing it. But, with fans showing such disdain towards its application, maybe there is some hope left for the gaming industry.

Latest Updates

Do you think generative AI is being used in the right way currently? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

Ghost of Yotei Crowned Game of the Year But Award Came From PlayStation Itself

Story Highlight
  • PlayStation has crowned Ghost of Yotei the Best PS5 Game for 2025.
  • The title has also won other awards for its art direction and visuals.
  • Other titles like Death Stranding 2 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have also been recognized in the blog post.

The Game Awards 2025 wrapped up, and much to PlayStation’s disappointment, Ghost of Yotei left the event with no awards to its name. This scenario was similar to Spider-Man 2’s fate in 2023, with neither game winning a single award despite multiple nominations.

Over a week later, however, Ghost of Yotei has finally won its first Game of the Year award. Interestingly, the award comes from PlayStation itself.

Why it matters: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has dominated every other award show this year, but it seems the PlayStation Blog awards stand out as an outlier.

Ghost of Yotei Game of the Year
Ghost of Yotei Game of the Year Win via Sony

The PlayStation Blog returned with its annual awards earlier this week, crowning Ghost of Yotei the Best PS5 Game, effectively the PlayStation Blog’s equivalent to Game of the Year. The runner-ups in this category included Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2, and Arc Raiders, respectively.

If this scenario sounds familiar, it’s because Sony did the same for Spider-Man 2 in 2023. After the game failed to win anything substantial at The Game Awards 2023, it received a Game of the Year win from PlayStation itself.

Elsewhere, Ghost of Yotei has been given the most prestigious award for Best Graphical Showcase, Best Art Direction, and more. PlayStation has also awarded first-party titles like Marvel’s Wolverine the Most Anticipated Game title.

Ghost of Yotei

The gaming giant has also recognized other titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition, Battlefield 6, and Death Stranding 2 in its latest blog post. However, it’s interesting to see PlayStation handing out multiple awards to its own first-party titles.

Latest Updates

What do you think about the outcome? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

25% of Steam’s Revenue In 2025 Came From Indie Titles

Story Highlight
  • Indie titles accounted for 25% of Steam revenue in 2025.
  • Of the $17.7 billion Steam generated this year, over $4.5 billion came from indie developers.
  • R.E.P.O., PEAK, Hollow Knight Silksong, and Escape from Duckov were the top-performing indie titles in 2025.

Calling 2025 the year of indie gaming wouldn’t be too wrong, as titles like Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Dispatch have overshadowed their AAA counterparts. Sandfall’s Expedition 33 even broke the record for most wins in The Game Awards history, while also taking home GOTY.

Indies have also been succeeding monetarily this year, with half of Steam’s best-performing games being either indie or AA. New data now shows that indie developers were actually responsible for a massive share of Steam’s record-breaking revenue in 2025.

Why it matters: Indie titles have long been the primary hub of creativity in the gaming industry, and their growing visibility on Steam is a positive sign for the future.

Alinea Analytics steam indie
Indie games like Schedule 1, R.E.P.O., and Hollow Knight: Silksong were massive hits on Steam in 2025.

According to data shared by Alinea Analytics, Indie games accounted for 25% of Steam’s overall revenue this year. Valve’s storefront has grossed more than $17.7 billion in 2025 to date, with indies accounting for a substantial $4.5 billion.

In addition, more than $500 million in revenue came from just the top 5 selling indie games alone, namely Schedule I ($151 million), R.E.P.O. ($147 million), PEAK ($87 million), Hollow Knight: Silksong ($75 million), and Escape from Duckov ($53 million).

As per Alinea Analytics, co-op games with slapstick physics that turn your partner’s errors into a comedic spoof are a big reason for this new indie dominance, as players want to record their friends failing horribly at titles like R.E.P.O. and PEAK.

R.E.P.O.
Co-op indie titles like R.E.P.O. attracted many players on Steam in 2025.

Indies like Hollow Knight: Silksong have also set new standards for fan service in the gaming industry, pricing their title at only $20 and also giving fans a free DLC expansion after the game had sold 7 million copies.

Many suggest that indie gaming is going to be the saviour of the industry, and if things keep going this way, that could very well turn out to be true.

Latest Updates

Do you think there should be a bigger push for indie games in the industry? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

CD Projekt Red Won’t Replace Devs With AI, Boss Says It Won’t Make The Witcher 5

Story Highlight
  • CDPR boss says the studio won’t lay off devs because of AI, as it is incapable of making entire games.
  • He believes AI is not directly responsible for the recent surge of layoffs in the industry.
  • CDPR only sees AI as a useful tool for developers, but it cannot replace their expertise.

CD Projekt Red is prepping a multitude of anticipated games, so the developer headcount has been rising steadily for a while. Things aren’t so bright for most of the gaming scene, which has seen a huge surge in layoffs and studio closures recently.

However, the CDPR boss believes AI has no direct role in these global dismissals, despite widespread industry speculation about the technology. Instead, he attributes these layoffs to factors like ongoing project cancellations.

Why it matters: CD Projekt Red executives have a moderate approach to AI, which is good news for teams working on its various games currently in development.  

The Witcher 4
CD Projekt Red is developing The Witcher 4 and multiple other games.

During CDPR’s investor call for Q3 2025 earnings, Michal was asked whether the studio would reduce its headcount due to AI tools to aid in game development. However, the executive does not believe that AI use would prompt CDPR to take such drastic actions in the future. 

 I don’t recall a single time when it would be attributable directly to AI. […] And as for reducing headcount thanks to AI – I don’t imagine that.

-CD Projekt Red Co-CEO, Michal Nowakowski.

He argues that AI cannot create entire games from scratch, such as The Witcher 5 or 6, regardless of how much it improves in the future. Therefore, he expects the AI tools to be helpful to the different teams rather than risking their livelihoods.

 it’s [AI] not gonna be making The Witcher 5.

Witcher 4 Tech Demo
The Witcher 4 is not launching next year, as its release window remains unconfirmed.  

The studio has continued its hiring spree of talented developers over the last few months to bolster its teams for Cyberpunk 2 and The Witcher 4, with no signs of major layoffs on the horizon. 

Latest Updates

What do you think of CDPR’s stance on generative AI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

GAMEMAX Launches NEX C56 and NEX C56 VC Mid-Tower PC Cases

[Press Release] GAMEMAX has introduced the NEX C56 and NEX C56 VC mid-tower cases, designed for modern gaming PCs that demand solid cooling and a clean design. Both models use a dual-chamber layout and a 12° inclined airflow system to improve thermal efficiency while supporting high-end hardware.

The key feature of both cases is the 12° inclined airflow layout. Bottom and right-side intake fans are angled to direct fresh air toward core components, helping heat dissipate faster. Both ship with F120RA 120mm ARGB reverse airflow fans, balancing airflow performance with a tidy interior look.

The NEX C56 is built for users who prioritize airflow. A full mesh top panel supports up to a 360mm AIO radiator, allowing hot air to escape efficiently. The case supports ATX motherboards, GPUs up to 425mm, CPU coolers up to 182mm, and PSUs up to 220mm. With seven pre-installed ARGB fans, it delivers strong cooling straight out of the box.

GAMEMAX Launches NEX C56 and NEX C56

The NEX C56 VC is designed for showcase builds. It features triple-tempered glass on the front, side, and top, providing a 270-degree panoramic view of internal components. Despite the glass-heavy layout, it maintains solid cooling with four pre-installed ARGB fans and support for large GPUs and dual 360mm radiators.

Both cases support vertical GPU installation without blocking bottom airflow and include an adjustable GPU support bracket to reduce sag. Front I/O consists of a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port and two USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports. Magnetic dust filters make cleaning easier and help maintain long-term performance.

The NEX C56 is priced at $69.99 in black and $74.99 in white. The NEX C56 VC costs $59.99 in black and $64.99 in white. Both models come with a one-year warranty.

LIAN LI Vector V100 MINI Launches as a Compact mATX Case Without Cooling Compromises

[Press Release] LIAN LI has introduced the Vector V100 MINI. This compact Micro-ATX PC case delivers the same visual style and airflow flexibility as the original V100 in a smaller form factor. Announced on December 19th, 2025, the V100 MINI targets builders who want a clean showcase design without sacrificing cooling or hardware compatibility.

Despite its reduced footprint, the Vector V100 MINI delivers strong airflow. The case allows up to three 120mm side fans, three 120mm or two 140mm top fans, and one 120mm rear fan. This makes it well-suited for high-performance systems that require reliable thermal headroom in a compact build.

The chassis supports both standard and back-connect Micro-ATX motherboards, making it compatible with modern layouts that prioritize cleaner cable routing.

LIAN LI Vector V100 MINI

Front and side tempered glass panels provide a 270-degree unobstructed view of the interior. The pillarless design highlights components and lighting from multiple angles. An integrated ARGB strip along the PSU shroud adds controlled lighting accents that sync with motherboard software for a cohesive look.

The Vector V100 MINI supports graphics cards up to 415mm in length and includes an adjustable anti-sag bracket for added stability. A dedicated PSU shroud opening helps route GPU power cables cleanly, keeping the interior organized.

Storage support includes space for multiple SSDs and a hard drive, ensuring practical expandability without cluttering the compact layout.

The Vector V100 MINI is priced at $49.99 without fans, while the Vector V100R MINI, which includes four pre-installed 120mm ARGB PWM fans, costs $64.99. Both versions are available only in black starting December 19th, 2025.

Ark 2 Won’t Arrive Until 2028 – Studio Wildcard Confirms a Long Wait for Fans

Story Highlight
  • Studio Wildcard co-founder confirms that Ark 2 won’t be launching until 2028.
  • The team plans to test new mechanics and features in upcoming Ark Survival Ascended DLCs.
  • Ark 2’s narrative will depend on how much performance time Vin Diesel is willing to deliver.

Ark Survival Ascended has been a hit-or-miss experience, depending on who you ask. However, the community has been deeply excited for its sequel that was announced five years ago. The game aims to take full advantage of UE5 with Vin Diesel as its star.

Unfortunately, all the excitement has once again been dialed down by the developers with yet another delay. Studio Wildcard co-founder says Ark 2 won’t be launching until at least 2028.

The team also unveiled a new DLC roadmap for Ark: Survival Ascended.  

Why it matters: Ark 2 not launching anytime soon has frustrated many fans with Studio Wildcard. The team is preparing multiple DLCs for Ark: Survival Ascended for the next two years before entirely focusing on Ark 2.

Ark: Survival Ascended Roadmap
Ark: Survival Ascended roadmap shows multiple planned expansions | Source: Epic Games.

Speaking with Epic Games, Jeremy Stieglitz explains Studio Wildcard will use future Ark: Survival Ascended DLCs to hone its skills and experiment with mechanics that will appear in the sequel. The studio decided not to jump ship to Ark 2 with unknown features.

The new roadmap highlights all the content players can expect from Ark: Survival Ascended until the end of 2027. It will begin with the launch of the expansion ‘Lost Colony’ this week.

Learning about both the technology and the mechanics seemed, to us, safer than to just try to go and release a whole standalone product called ARK 2.

-Jeremy Stieglitz, Studio Wildcard co-founder.

Additionally, Survival Ascended’s 2027 Q4 DLC, Legacy of Santiago, will serve as a prequel to Ark 2 narratively. It will also have the team introduce a lot of the features planned for the next game.

Ark 2
Ark 2 will bring Souls-like combat mechanics and dynamic world events.

Ark 2’s story also seems undecided at the moment, implying the survival game has a long way to go before it’s ready. The narrative will depend on how much time Vin Diesel is willing to give to the project, but the studio is prepared for all possibilities. 

Latest Updates

Do you think Ark 2 will live up to the massive expectations that are being set by gamers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Highguard Dubbed Concord 2.0 As Former Devs Confirmed To Be Involved In Development

Story Highlight
  • Several Concord developers are now working on the recently revealed Highguard.
  • These developers previously worked on Concord’s gameplay design and art.
  • Highguard continues to be at the center of criticism as Wildlight Entertainment attempts to prove everyone wrong.

Highguard was one of the many games revealed at The Game Awards in 2025, but initial reactions to the title have been anything but encouraging. In fact, many have already written the game off as another live-service shooter that will likely be forgotten before long.

Recently, it has also been discovered that the Highguard development team includes former Concord developers.

Why it matters: Concord is likely to stand out as the industry’s biggest live-service failure for many years to come. Therefore, any mention of the title is enough to create concern among audiences.

Wildlight Entertainment, the studio currently working on Highguard, lists its entire team on the official website. Although most of the development team consists of former Respawn Entertainment veterans, it also includes those with experience from other projects.

In particular, Daniel Luna, Jessica Grant, and Patrick Rodriguez worked on Concord before moving to Highguard. As for their roles in Concord’s development, Jessica Grant worked as a Senior Outsourcing Producer on the game’s content.

Daniel Luna contributed to the gameplay elements of PlayStation’s hero shooter as a Modes and Systems Engineer, and Patrick Rodriguez oversaw concept art as an Outsourcing Manager. The developers are now working in similar positions at Wildlight Entertainment.

This information is so interesting because Highguard was immediately compared with Concord when the reveal trailer went live, and many even dubbed it Concord 2.

Concord New Featured
Concord’s Character Designs Were Not Well Received At All

Many believe Highguard looks bland and uninspired, like Concord, and the fact that it was shown off with a very short trailer has done little to help. The team’s hopes are still high, but the general audience seems to have already made up their minds about the title.

In Concord’s case, the art direction became a particular point of contention since many players found the overall character designs and world unappealing. Even with decent gameplay, the title failed to appeal to anybody in any meaningful way.

Highguard might face a similar fate, but with the game just over a month out from release, perhaps it’s best to reserve judgment until January 26.

Latest Updates

What do you think about the Concord staff’s role in the Highguard development team? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Less Is More: Phantom Blade Zero Developers Inspired By Expedition 33’s Approach

Story Highlight
  • Phantom Blade Zero is taking inspiration from Expedition 33, as clarified by lead director Soulframe Liang.
  • The game is being streamlined and polished to ensure players have the best experience.
  • In other words, the action RPG will avoid redundant gameplay and stale moments. 

GOTY winner Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has swept through the gaming scene, winning almost all the awards it was nominated for and setting a new standard for RPGs. It’s no surprise that the industry giants are already aiming to achieve the same quality. 

Phantom Blade Zero lead director Soulframe Liang now says he reached out to Sandfall Interactive after their amazing performance at The Game Awards. He received invaluable advice that S-Game is already implementing for its kungfu-punk experience.

Why it matters: Taking inspiration from the studio behind one of the most praised titles to launch recently could help Phantom Blade Zero meet the same levels of success. 

Phantom Blade Zero
Phantom Blade Zero is one of the most anticipated games planned for next year.

In an interview with GamesRadar, Soulframe Liang clarifies that the team at Sandfall advised him to streamline Phantom Blade Zero as much as possible.

In other words, the game would be a pure action RPG experience without the redundant bits meant to serve as additional content. Phantom Blade Zero is also being polished to its limit to ensure gamers won’t have to worry about optimization issues.

One of the most important and interesting things they told us was that for the last nine months, the most important thing is to delete things. To cut things [from the game] and to polish the rest.

-Phantom Blade Zero Director.

The game’s performance has already been praised by experts, who found that it avoids using heavy Unreal Engine 5 elements to reduce any performance hiccups. Despite that, it still looks stunning with the dark, gritty world and fluid combat mechanics. 

So yeah, it’s a good idea. And I will take that advice.

Phantom Blade Zero
The game features fluid combat that aims to shake things up in the action RPG genre.

Therefore, Phantom Blade Zero is expected to be a hearty experience without any unnecessary grinding seen in most AAA RPGs these days. 

Latest Updates

Do you think Phantom Blade Zero will reach the same lofty status that is enjoyed by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

D&D Veteran Defends Larian, Urges Fans to Go Easy on Hard-Working Developers

Story Highlight
  • Larian CEO revealed they were using gen AI for Divinity’s artwork and some text.
  • The comment received huge backlash as fans accused them of leaning towards AI slop.
  • A former D&D vet has defended them, urging fans to go easy on the developers.

The use of generative AI in game development has been the hottest topic of debate in the industry for the past few weeks. As more studios adopt the technology, fans have been calling them out for becoming lazy and less creative. 

The biggest controversy has been around Larian, which said it would be using gen AI for its upcoming turn-based game, Divinity. Now, a D&D veteran has defended the studio and asked fans to go easy on developers. 

Why it matters: Using AI in some instances has now become a norm in development. Some people believe it’s completely fine, while others have a very extreme take and oppose it very harshly. 

Larian AI
D&D Veteran shields Larian from online backlash for gen AI comments

One of the legendary D&D veterans, Robert Kuntz, has shielded Larian Studios from the hate, urging fans to go easy on the hard-working developers. It is disappointing to see Swen Vincke being treated that that by the community.

Kuntz said that the RPG community he helped build and nurture in the 1970s used to be a lot more appreciative of the craft they made. He said people back then were more civil and didn’t go after studios like this. 

The studio confirmed it would be using the tech just for artwork and as a placeholder

The hate doesn’t make much sense either, as Larian confirmed that Divinity won’t be using gen AI for development. They were using it for just some artwork and placeholder text that would be replaced in the game. 

The Game of the Year, Expedition 33, is also going through a similar backlash, as it didn’t disclose the use of AI in its development, although the generated assets were later patched out with custom-designed ones. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the D&D veteran calling out fans for the hate towards Larian? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Is The Best-Selling Non-Sports/Shooter Console Game of 2025

Story Highlight
  • A new report reveals that AC Shadows generated pretty good revenue for Ubisoft.
  • The title was the best-selling non-sports or shooter console game of the year.
  • Despite this, Ubisoft is still struggling with low stock and a bad market cap value.

Before the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft, from falling stocks to risk of bankruptcy, had all sorts of problems. While those issues are still far from over, at least it’s latest reportedly generated good revenue numbers.

A new report has revealed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows was the best-selling non-sports or shooter console game of the year. It beat the likes of Expedition 33, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and many others. 

Why it matters: Many doubted that the game led to decent sales figures, but this report proves the game actually sold pretty well, especially on consoles, generating significant revenue for Ubisoft. 

Shadows Sales
AC Shadows recoded decent console sales according to a new report

Newzoo’s latest report highlights the best-selling games of the year in terms of revenue. While on the console side, Shadows takes the 6th highest-selling spot, it was first if we factor out sports and shooter games. 

Games like FC 26, 2K26, and Battlefield will always be the usual suspects to be in the top-sellers based on their replayability; however, it is impressive that Assassin’s Creed Shadows, primarily a single-player title, joins the list. 

Assassin's Creed Shadows
The title still couldn’t save Ubisoft’s stocks from falling further

Ghost of Yotei also takes the second spot if we factor out the live service titles. This is also impressive considering the Samurai game was a PS5 exclusive. Notably, we don’t see titles like Call of Duty, Expedition 33, and KCD2. 

Ubisoft released its delayed financial report last month, and it was surprisingly positive based on Shadow’s success. However, the company’s troubles still continue as its market value has fallen below $1 billion in 13 years. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on Assassin’s Creed Shadows being the best-selling non-shooter/sports console game? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

Larian Studios Forced into Early Optimization for Divinity Due to SSD and RAM Shortages

Story Highlight
  • Larian says that Divinity’s development is being affected by the surge in RAM and SSD prices.
  • Now, they’re forced to focus on optimization early on than expected.
  • The studio has also been under fire for admitting to using AI, and, all things considered, things aren’t looking good for Larian.

Larian Studios is working on its next big project, which is said to be more ambitious than Baldur’s Gate 3, and with so much hype surrounding it, the developers are already facing constraints in meeting such high expectations.

Specifically for the game’s development, Larian’s plans are being disrupted by ‘unexpected hurdles’ stemming from the recent surge in RAM and SSD costs. Now, the studio is being forced to optimize the game so early on during development.

Why it matters: The PC games market is wreaking havoc right now, and things aren’t looking good for gamers in the near future. This also puts massive pressure on developers working on upcoming games.

divinity teaser
TGA’s Teased Statue Was For Divinity’s Reveal
Talking to The Gamer, Larian’s CEO Swen Vincke discussed the challenges they’ll have to face with the game’s early access release:

“Interestingly, another (issue Larian is facing) is really the price of RAM and the price of SSDs and f**k, man. It’s like, literally, we’ve never had it like this.

As is well known, the AI surge has been causing a DRAM shortage worldwide, and things are only getting worse, with RAM and SSD prices going through the roof. Just for reference, a 64GB DDR5 RAM is around the cost of a PS5. Unfortunately, things are only expected to get even worse from here.

Further discussing the development challenges, Vincke said that their priority has now changed to optimization with the game’s early access, which has shaken up their development plans and may have forced them to focus on other aspects.

Most likely, we already need to do a lot of optimization work in early access that we didn’t necessarily want to do at that point in time [during Early Access]

While a hardware issue is one challenge Larian faces, the studio has also been under fire recently for admitting it used generative AI in the development of Divinity, and the gaming community hasn’t been taking that well.

Divinity
Divinity Will Be A Turn-Based RPG

With a shorter development cycle than Baldur’s Gate 3, it makes sense that Larian is accelerating things, but these problems will pose a hurdle for the studio. Still, if anything, the studio can be trusted to deliver even after all these setbacks.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

1...828384Page 107 of 84