Year In Review: AI in Gaming Will Only Get Worse in 2026

Artificial intelligence has become a major force in media in 2025, and its effects are being felt worldwide, including in gaming. But this is just the beginning โ€“ we can expect AI to have an even bigger impact in 2026.

Over the last year, artificial intelligence has become much more noticeable in gaming. We’ve seen examples like AI-powered voice acting for characters like Darth Vader in Fortnite, and even entire games created by AI. There have also been some debates and issues along the way.

Although these issues come up from time to time, 2025 will likely be just the beginning for AI in video games, and a major turning point is on the horizon.

A Major Turning Point

AI has been a part of video games for a long time โ€“ games actually need it to function. Think about enemies in games like Call of Duty, opponents in EA FC 26, or any of the characters you interact with โ€“ they all rely on AI to operate and make the game world feel alive.

The biggest change is how we’re using AI. Instead of AI simply assisting artists and developers, it’s now often creating things directly โ€“ from art to computer code โ€“ to save time and effort. While AI can be a valuable tool for reducing overwork in creative industries, there’s ongoing debate about its impact and potential job losses.

There have been issues with companies trying to replace human workers with AI, and gamers are quick to notice when AI-generated content appears in games. Several large game releases in 2025 have faced accusations of using AI-created artwork and other content.

The revelation that artificial intelligence was used in game development in 2025 sparked considerable controversy. For example, the Indie Game Awards removed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from consideration after discovering it used AI-generated content, and Battlefield 6 faced criticism over possible AI involvement in creating in-game cosmetic items. Now, everyone is wondering how long this debate will continue.

Will The Backlash Ease?

As we look ahead to 2026, relying on AI โ€“ especially AI that creates new content โ€“ is likely to cause significant negative reactions from gamers. Players are very good at detecting when AI has been used to create game assets, and any use of it will quickly become public knowledge. This creates a serious public relations risk.

It’s still uncertain if the current negative reaction to AI will continue, especially as it becomes more commonplace โ€“ whether we like it or not. AI can be a useful tool for developers when used correctly, helping them with their work. However, with so many layoffs happening in the tech industry, it’s hard to ignore the fact that many companies seem to be using AI primarily to reduce costs.

The concerns about AI aren’t limited to video games; it’s facing widespread criticism across all media, and raises environmental and political issues too. Currently, most people view AI negatively, but expect significant efforts โ€“ and a lot of money โ€“ to be spent trying to improve its public image.

AI isn’t just a concern for gamers; it poses a serious threat to people working in creative fields. This issue doesn’t seem to be improving, and we might see significant changes by 2026.

We’d love to hear your opinion on how artificial intelligence is being used more and more in games and other media. Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the TopMob Discord!

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2026-01-02 21:19