A developer recently announced the removal of his free-to-play roguelike game, "Hardest," from the Steam platform. This decision highlights the growing debate surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in video game creation, a topic so contentious that Valve now mandates developers disclose any use of generative AI in their titles.
Originally launched in the summer of 2025, "Hardest" was met with a largely negative response, with many reviewers suspecting it was entirely AI-generated. The developer, Rakuel, initially created the game using AI tools, believing there was no harm in it. However, a recent personal relationship led to a significant change of heart. His new girlfriend, after just a month of dating, persuaded him to reconsider the ethical and economic implications of AI-generated content. Rakuel now views his prior actions as having been "brainwashed" and acknowledges that AI is not truly "free," impacting the economy and environment by diverting resources from human creators.
Rakuel, embracing this new perspective, stated that the game in its current form is an "ethical disgrace" to the gaming community. While he did contribute some original code to "Hardest," he is now committed to developing future projects with entirely bespoke artwork. This experience serves as a powerful reminder of the evolving discussions around technology, creativity, and responsibility in the digital age, prompting creators to consider the broader impact of their development choices on industry and society.
