Generative AI Use in this Game, but not Noted on Storepage

[357 Magnum Ace]

Hello everyone!

I bought this game long ago and enjoyed it. I played it throughout its development and liked the novel experience. As a game itself I think it's fun; however, there is an issue.

This game uses generative AI images in its process, but does not note it on the storepage. For a time steam banned the use of generative AI technology in their store, but they relaxed it and required that its use be noted. Barotrauma is in violation of that policy.

How is it used? It is used in a trace over effect. How do I know? I am running off a developer's own words. You can see for yourself here in this thread in the chosen answer by the developer Dynamoon.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/602960/discussions/0/6980058383071495622/?ctp=2


Consumers have a right to know and steam backs that idea. I don't think its right for this game to be an exception because it was grandfathered under older original art and decided to put it in after.

This thread is to raise awareness of the issue and promote civil discussion. I hope the developer's see this and opt to report the use to steam; however, users can take it upon themselves to also share the information in reviews or to contact steam about it yourself.

[Winblows]

thats kinda lame because ai-gening something and then "drawing over it" doesnt really separate the final art from the ai gen art that much, sounds more like a lame way to circumvent saying its ai art.

heck even for concept art its lame since id expect an artist to have the skill set on how to compose art

[Hammer Goblin]

Is this really something to get on a popular open ended game where everyone "steals" each other's open-source code from mods and the like??

ETA: I think players know if they use their own eyes that things are AI Gen. . . not only that, there are developers who gouge players with terribly done battle passes and such, this is a complete nothingburger by comparison, and even -I- hate AI generated "Art"

[357 Magnum Ace]

Originally posted by Hammer Goblin:

Is this really something to get on a popular open ended game where everyone "steals" each other's open-source code from mods and the like??

ETA: I think players know if they use their own eyes that things are AI Gen. . . not only that, there are developers who gouge players with terribly done battle passes and such, this is a complete nothingburger by comparison, and even -I- hate AI generated "Art"

I do. I do not see the issue either. They used the technology, games are required to note it at the bottom of the game page and describe how it was used. I do not believe an exception should be made based on popularity or the existence of other wrongful acts.

The people who own the game have a chance to tell, people who research on it via Let's Plays and the like, but not all consumers will. To some consumers this is an important factor, if it's used and how its used. This is for them. I am not going to attempt to refund my game or anything like that, I got my fun out of it. I just want people to honestly evaluate the product based on the rules we see today on steam.

[Hammer Goblin]

I'll admit I misread a little bit of the original post, thinking you were on this "Boycott" style speech, but after reading your reply, and re-reading the post, I get what you mean, and I respect it. Just gotta announce it truthfully and all that.

I wish Ubisoft and Companies like Ubisoft would announce they're shelling out games for the monetary gain of stealing your wallet and all that. I am mad respectful of Daedalic and Fakefish for the fact that regardless of this small discrepancy in the store page, they came in to admit it when asked on the topic, they are still working on this game with updates after updates, free might I add. Lol

As much of a non-sequitur what I said, might be.

[357 Magnum Ace]

Originally posted by Hammer Goblin:

-snip-

I am glad we could come to an understanding then! I can see how you could draw that conclusion based on the end of my post. I am not advocating this game be removed from sale, issue refunds over this, or anything of that like. People can address this in their reviews and keep it a positive recommendation, that is up to them.

As for contacting steam it would merely be to make them aware of the use if they were not. That's it. This shouldn't do anything more than just add the blurb at the bottom if steam deems it necessary based on its use.

[Evil Factory]

theres actually art in the game which is almost completely AI generated, just look at the loading screens

[Hammer Goblin]

Originally posted by 357 Magnum Ace:

Originally posted by Hammer Goblin:

-snip-

-Counter-Snip-

You DARE Snip me! I snip back! I am 1/4 crab!

[357 Magnum Ace]

Originally posted by Evil Factory:

theres actually art in the game which is almost completely AI generated, just look at the loading screens

That is specifically addressed in the post Dynamoon made that I linked to. It's not quite AI, but not quite not.

We do, however, use AI-generated images in some parts of the game that are then drawn over, namely some loading screen images. This saves the artist time in the composition phase of creating a new piece.

[Hammer Goblin]

We do, however, use AI-generated images in some parts of the game that are then drawn over, namely some loading screen images. This saves the artist time in the composition phase of creating a new piece.

[/quote]

My Opinion on it in my own works:
Though you can't rush fine work by hand, I don't get why they don't just do re-draws in their own original style since the game is released. Shouldn't need to rush their art in any capacity. Even with AI. Unless they want to just focus on updates.

[Evil Factory]

Originally posted by 357 Magnum Ace:

Originally posted by Evil Factory:

theres actually art in the game which is almost completely AI generated, just look at the loading screens

That is specifically addressed in the post Dynamoon made that I linked to. It's not quite AI, but not quite not.

We do, however, use AI-generated images in some parts of the game that are then drawn over, namely some loading screen images. This saves the artist time in the composition phase of creating a new piece.

yeah but tbh they don't look that they been touched much by humans, if you look at it, its mostly just some image effects applied on top
but in any case, good news is that the AI generated stuff is getting replaced with original art

[357 Magnum Ace]

Originally posted by Hammer Goblin:

My Opinion on it in my own works:
Though you can't rush fine work by hand, I don't get why they don't just do re-draws in their own original style since the game is released. Shouldn't need to rush their art in any capacity. Even with AI. Unless they want to just focus on updates.

I agree that it would be nice if they had a novel original style. But realistically they should save that for Barotrauma 2 unless this is a forever project.

Originally posted by Evil Factory:

yeah but tbh they don't look that they been touched much by humans, if you look at it, its mostly just some image effects applied on top
but in any case, good news is that the AI generated stuff is getting replaced with original art

It is mostly original work in coloring and rendering, yes, but one can make an argument that it's not for the structure of the piece. That is AI work. The shapes, the placement, the angle, proper perspective, and so on. These are all important skills for artists to properly translate images from their head and heart to a canvas.

[風]

Oh no! :(

[Hammer Goblin]

Originally posted by 357 Magnum Ace:

I agree that it would be nice if they had a novel original style. But realistically they should save that for Barotrauma 2 unless this is a forever project.

They tried Hidden Deep, seemingly abandoned it. It appears Barotrauma for the time being will be a forever project, hence the suggestion. :(

[sokolov]

Originally posted by Hammer Goblin:

Originally posted by 357 Magnum Ace:

I agree that it would be nice if they had a novel original style. But realistically they should save that for Barotrauma 2 unless this is a forever project.

They tried Hidden Deep, seemingly abandoned it. It appears Barotrauma for the time being will be a forever project, hence the suggestion. :(

Hidden Deep shares the same publisher with Barotrauma but not the developers.

[Dynamoon]

Hi, as already kindly pointed out by Evil Factory, we're remaking all the loading screens that previously used AI and expect to have AI-free loading screens live in the game next spring. (Unfortunately we were not able to finish them all in time for the Winter Update.)

I'd also like to reiterate that where we have used AI in the loading screens, it has either been painted over, as previously stated, or in other cases, AI has been applied over a hand-painted image e.g. to change the tone – in other words, AI-generated images are not used anywhere as-is, and soon, they will not be used in the game at all.