Manor Lords Publisher Takes Stand Against Generative AI
Manor Lords publisher Hooded Horse is making a bold statement by rejecting the use of generative AI (gen AI) in their games, despite its growing popularity in the industry.
Known for their strategic game offerings like Manor Lords, Hooded Horse has quickly gained recognition since their establishment in 2019.
While gen AI has been embraced by many, Hooded Horse is adamantly opposed to incorporating it into their projects.
In a recent interview, Hooded Horse CEO Tim Bender expressed his frustration with gen AI, stating, “I hate gen AI art and its integration has only complicated matters for us.” As a result, the company now includes a clause in their contracts prohibiting the use of AI-generated assets.
Bender emphasized the potential risks of using gen AI during game development, cautioning developers against its use to avoid any oversight that could lead to unwanted elements in the final product.
Following an incident where an award-winning game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, had accolades revoked due to gen AI involvement, Hooded Horse has decided to steer clear of creators utilizing the technology altogether.
Despite the increasing prevalence of generative AI in the creative process, Hooded Horse remains firm in their stance against its use, citing the need for constant vigilance to prevent any unwanted elements from seeping into their games.
Manor Lords is currently available on PC via Steam and is set to launch on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S in the future.
