First published at 08:31 UTC on January 26th, 2024.
In the world of video games, controversy always adds an extra layer of excitement. Today, we're diving into the uproar surrounding the recent release of "Pal World," a game that took the gaming community by storm shortly after its bet…
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In the world of video games, controversy always adds an extra layer of excitement. Today, we're diving into the uproar surrounding the recent release of "Pal World," a game that took the gaming community by storm shortly after its beta launch on Xbox Game Pass and Steam. With a million players in action and over 4 million PC copies sold within days, "Pal World" has become a sensation.
However, controversy has followed suit, starting with comparisons to Pokémon. Some fans argue that "Pal World" drew too much inspiration from Pokémon, criticizing the designs and gameplay. While accusations of copying are nothing new in the gaming industry, it's essential to acknowledge that games featuring creature-catching concepts have been around for a while, like Digimon and Dragon Quest Monsters.
But the real heat comes from the buzzword of the hour: Artificial Intelligence (AI). In a world increasingly wary of AI's implications, "Pal World" faces allegations of using AI to generate its creatures and possibly other game elements. The game's developer, Pocket Pair, previously released a title called "AI Art Impostor," which explicitly uses AI to create images in real-time. This connection has raised eyebrows, as players question the authenticity of the creatures and the overall game development process.
The controversy deepens when examining Pocket Pair's past practices. In a blog post discussing their previous game, "Craftopia," it was revealed that most 3D models and motions were purchased assets, sparking a debate on the ethical use of pre-made content in game development.
Adding fuel to the fire, a Twitter thread by user zet Tre sheds light on the CEO of Pocket Pair discussing AI's role in generating game content to bypass copyright. The same AI art generator is used in their other game, "AI Art Impostor." Questions arise about the extent of AI's involvement in "Pal World" and whether it extends beyond image generation to influence the game's core design.
In the end, th..
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