At the 2026 Game Developers Conference (GDC), developers largely expressed disinterest in incorporating AI into their projects, even as the technology featured prominently at the event. While generative AI tools, such as those for creating non-playable characters (NPCs) and full game environments, were showcased by vendors, most developers interviewed remained resistant. Gabriel Paquette, developer of “The Melty Way,” emphasized the beauty of human creativity, rejecting AI utilization. Many indie developers shared the sentiment, disavowing AI for potentially undermining the human touch in game development. Surveys revealed growing skepticism about AI’s impact on the industry, with a notable percentage of developers viewing it negatively. Despite AI’s potential to assist in debugging and customization, the developers valued handcrafted work. Companies like Finji and Panic, and platforms like BigMode, declared intentions against integrating generative AI in their processes. Developers voiced that AI-generated games lack the personal connection and authenticity of human-made projects. Concerns were also raised about AI’s potential to cause job displacement and challenges in legal frameworks regarding AI content ownership. While some acknowledge AI’s future possibilities, the preference remains for a human-centered approach to game creation.
AI was everywhere at gaming’s big developer conference — except the games
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