Most Wishlisted Game on Steam Comes From “AI-First” Company, and It Should Raise More Eyebrows

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The discussion around advanced AI, which is different from the simple AI found in video game characters, has become very intense lately. After the game studio Larian revealed they used this type of AI while making Divinity, there was a strong negative reaction, leading their CEO, Swen Vincke, to plan a discussion about it in 2026. Simultaneously, the game Expedition 33 lost its Game of the Year award from the Indie Game Awards due to its use of AI, and even Blue Prince faced accusations (which were untrue). Interestingly, despite all this controversy, the most wishlisted game on Steam is being developed by a company that openly prioritizes using AI.

The discussion around generative AI in game development will likely continue for quite some time. A major reason for its growing popularity is the belief that it can significantly speed up development, which is becoming increasingly lengthy and complex. Many game studios view it as a way to overcome this challenge. However, Larian’s Vincke recently stated in an interview with Bloomberg that he hasn’t seen any actual increase in productivity from using it. Despite this, other companies are heavily investing in the technology. Krafton, for example, has declared itself an “AI-First company” and is publishing the most wishlisted game on Steam, Subnautica 2.

There’s been a lot happening lately – from debates about AI-generated content, to layoffs at the studio behind Subnautica 2, and broader concerns about how AI is being used in games. It’s overwhelming, but I think the most important thing is how this impacts players. Most gamers won’t even realize a game uses AI unless the developers are careless about it. The fact that developers need to be secretive or careful about how they use AI is concerning, and it’s different than simply having inaccurate information out there – it’s about players not being informed at all.

GenAI Relies on You Ignoring Conditions That Could Wreck the Industry

I’m not predicting another video game crash, but heavy reliance on AI-generated content could seriously damage player trust, shrink the scope of game development, and make games feel less personal. This shift could also disrupt the gaming market and decrease demand for gaming PCs and consoles – a problem made worse by current issues with RAM prices and affordability. If home consoles also become oversaturated, the situation could mirror the conditions that led to the video game crash of 1983. While I don’t think a full-scale crash is likely, the parallels are concerning, and the outcome will likely be negative for all gamers.

Okay, okay, I’ll get straight to the point. I was just passionate about this! But seriously, look at the strange language used in this game and tell me what, if anything, seems impressive about this technology.

Subnautica 2 is the Most Wishlisted Game on Steam, and It’s Coming from the AI-First Company Krafton

The popular game Subnautica, created by Unknown Worlds Entertainment and led by developers Charles Cleveland, Max McGuire, and Ted Gill, is getting a sequel that fans are eagerly awaiting. Throughout 2025, Subnautica 2 consistently ranked among the most wishlisted games on Steam, often holding the top spot. Steam describes the sequel as an open-world survival game where players explore new underwater environments, encounter strange creatures, and build vehicles, tools, and bases on an alien planet – all from the team behind the original Subnautica.

The current marketing message is strong, but it was created before the public dispute between Krafton and the founders of Unknown Worlds Entertainment (Cleveland, McGuire, and Gill). While a lawsuit is ongoing, Krafton CEO Kim Chang-han recently announced the company’s focus on artificial intelligence. Reports indicate Krafton is also offering employees severance packages, potentially including several months to a few years of salary, as initially reported by Business Korea.

There’s a lot of discussion about using generated AI in games, but many players don’t seem to be concerned. It’s unclear if they’ll react when they encounter strange AI-generated details – like a fish with six fingers – in a game like Subnautica 2. What is clear is that Subnautica 2‘s popularity on Steam shows developers that using generated AI doesn’t necessarily hurt sales. Ultimately, player spending speaks louder than words, and the success of Subnautica 2 sends a strong message to developers directly from players.

The development of Subnautica 2 is heavily focused on artificial intelligence. Despite a lawsuit and limited recent updates, the game is still on track for an early access release in 2026, and the team at Unknown World Entertainment continues to make progress – including experimenting with AI-generated fish!

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2025-12-24 20:04