AI Generated Image
AI is Ruining Game Sales, Numbers Show
DualShockers • • technology
Key Points:
- A recent study by Ross Burton, PhD, reveals that video games disclosing AI usage suffer significantly lower consumer engagement and sales, with AI-assisted titles receiving about 53% fewer user reviews on Steam compared to non-AI games.
- Approximately 21% of games released on Steam in 2025 included an AI-generated content disclosure, and these titles averaged fewer reviews and lower scores, indicating a negative market perception of AI involvement.
- The study controlled for factors like developer experience and budget, concluding that even competent studios using AI to optimize workflows face a 40% to 60% drop in sales, suggesting a strong consumer stigma against AI-assisted games.
- Inexperienced indie developers saw minimal negative impact from AI use, as their projects typically struggle regardless, but established developers with fanbases and reputations are more harshly penalized.
- The negative reception may stem not only from consumer backlash but also from perceptions that AI reliance leads to poorer design choices and lower craftsmanship in game development.
