We have reached a new threshold in genAI gloom, with a game dev cancelling a demo for fear of copycats ripping them off before release

Developers have dealt with copycat games for many years, but generative AI has made it easier than ever to whip up a clone, and that problem has grown in recent years. The developer behind Drunken Goddess Reflux is aware of this, and out of fear that its anime Russian roulette game could be the victim of a cash-grab imitation, it has announced that it has canceled its upcoming public demo. Instead, Alliance Arts will hold closed online play sessions for a limited number of players. https://youtu.be/SRFDW2Pm9nk "We sincerely apologize for the short notice to everyone who was looking forward to it," the developer wrote online . "We're concerned that the demo's content could be used to quickly imitate or replicate the game's presentation and gameplay with AI or other tools, and that such works could be released before our launch." Alliance Arts is also concerned that it can't properly manage restrictions on posting and streaming content from the game, and it'll instead hand out demo keys and collect feedback for the game through its group Discord. The studio's fears aren't unwarranted, with the upcoming Needle in a Haystack being a prime example of Steam's copycat problem. After the g

Play the beginning of the story through the first half of Chapter 2. C#4R4CT3R has released a demo for Tokyo 1998-set lo-fi psychological suspense adventure Rain98 for PC via Steam, the developer announced. The demo offers approximately three hours of gameplay, covering the beginning of the story through the first half of Chapter 2. The full game is expected to be roughly 10 to 15 hours long. It supports nine languages. Alongside visual novel sequences and dialogue choices, adventure sections let players interact with heroine Reina Amehara and explore the streets of Tokyo in 1998. Mamiko Noto has also been announced as the voice of Kyoko Yose. Here are the latest details:■ Tokyo, 1998. A rain that never ends and a girl who wants everything to end.​

Publisher Acclaim and developer Wabisabi Games will soon release a demo for Y2K-style extreme snowboarding game HYPERyuki: Snowboard Syndicate for PC via Steam, the companies announced. A specific date was not announced. “The extreme sports games in the golden age of the late 90s and early aughts had something special,” said Acclaim director of publishing and strategic partnerships Marc Anthony Rodriguez in a press release. “The speed, the banger music, the outrageous tricks, all pure fun. HYPERyuki captures that spirit immediately. Wabisabi is building something with its own identity, and every new reveal gets more ridiculous in the best possible way. Acclaim is proud to be part of this journey and can’t wait for players to experience it with a new demo soon.”Here is an overview of the game, via Acclaim:AboutHYPERyuki: Snowboard Syndicate is developed by Mexican indie studio Wabisabi Games (RKGK / Rakugaki). Inspired by the fast-paced gameplay and stylish excess of classics like SSX and Jet Grind Radio, the game delivers a modern take on white-knuckle arcade-style snowboarding. Key Features Challenge – Think you have what it takes to impress?

Embark on a grand adventure as treasure hunter Shiren. Publisher Headup and developer Skyward Entertainment will release a demo for action RPG Second Stone for PC via Steam on October 19, the companies announced. Here is an overview of the game, via Skyward Entertainment:AboutSecond Stone: The Legend of the Hidden World is a vibrant action RPG following young Shiren as he searches for his lost spirit guardian, combining fast and fluid movement while mastering powerful magic to battle through two fractured worlds on the brink of collision. Key FeaturesHigh-Mobility Action-RPG Combat – Master fast-paced combat defined by dynamic movement, fluid platforming, and environmental puzzles that keep the action evolving. Modular Build Customization – Express your creativity by fusing elemental stones to craft unique powers, then slot them into your gear to design a combat style entirely your own. Bustling Village Hub – Return to a lively home base to upgrade your gear, chat with locals for quests, and unwind with a dice-battler minigame.

There's currently some tension between the video game industry and the proliferation of AI tools. You can see the evidence of this in a recent development regarding the upcoming indie game Drunken Goddess Reflux. It's a game with the objective of imbibing alcohol until a demon vomits up her soul, a decidedly unique premise that would be hard for any AI to come up with. As spotted by Rock Paper Shotgun, though, the developers had to cancel an upcoming public demo session. The decision is partly due to concerns that AI could quickly clone it for someone else's financial benefit. Instead, they will hold closed sessions for a "limited number of participants. "