Random Thoughts.....What Are You Thinking?

They used AI for placeholder textures to allow testing and assessment prior to the final textures being completed. Most of them were gone by launch, and they claim all were removed within a few days afterwards. Whether or not that's true, the scope of AI use seems to be extremely limited (subcontractors, purchased textures, that unknowningly had it).

The statement is technically correct but not meaningful. The game was not substantially influenced by AI. Little different from someone who can't even code thinking they'll singlehandedly ship a game using AI as a replacement for knowledge.

Sure, I agree on this. However, I think that 'used correctly' is used very minimally for creative works.

I thought panta has some coding background.

Also aren't game engines like unreal, unity, godot or gamemaker made with the intention to minimize the need for coding so devs can focus on fine tuning mechanics and art?

The fact that he's soloing doesn't mean he can't succeed either.
I think flappy bird and vampire survivor were both made by just one guy and were pretty successful. Balatro was also a solo dev project.

https://insider-gaming.com/indie-game-awards-disqualifies-clair-obscur-expedition-33-gen-ai/


Ex33 had AI in very early builds as placeholders, they were all removed except for one that was missed, a random texture on a random lamppost. Someone noticed it months after release and everyone got up in a tizzy over it. It was all performative *** over a nothingburger.

They don't really remove the need for coding, they replace some elements of code with graphical display systems that use visual nodes instead. The logic is still required and if you don't understand how the underlying code works, many of the same mistakes you'd make writing real code are still possible. Bonus that you get an extra performance hit from the interpretation layer.

The game you're looking for is Stardew Valley, and yes solo devs can absolutely make amazing games that are extremely well received or extremely well crafted or even both.

I don't mean to say that Panta can't possibly do it, but using AI as a replacement for knowledge instead of an addition to it has proven to be pretty ineffective.

I picked flappy and vampire because I believe they probably weren't super sophisticated to make from a programming stand point yet they still were successful.
Minecraft was originally also developed by a single person before it got sold to microsoft and became one of the most popular games out there. the best selling game together with tetris according to wikipedia.