Way to fucking go GOG.
Steam once again sat there doing nothing, watching their competition screw themselves over.
this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2026
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Fuck AI
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While everyone else is salivating over putting AI in their products, Steam chooses to tag AI content in their games, not even refuse to list them, and that's all it take to get publishers and other CEOs riled up.
Although Steam has caved a bit on that by relaxing what they consider AI worth tagging.
AIUI there’s been some debate about AI used as a “placeholder” after Expedition 33 released with AI content that they claim wasn’t supposed to be in the final release.
"We are aware that many modern games development environments have AI powered tools built into them," the developer disclosure page now reads. "Efficiency gains through the use of these tools is not the focus of this section. Instead, it is concerned with the use of AI in creating content that ships with your game, and is consumed by players. This includes content such as artwork, sound narrative, localisation, etc."
Gamers: this is what we want.
Publishers: isnt_there_someone_you_forgot_to_ask.jpg?
Gamers: No!
Steam: Ok.
Gamers: We buy steam
Publishers: 😲 Shocked_face.jpg
Ssssiiiiiiggggghhhhh
So... GOG taking a step forward with their Linux plans, then immediately slipping sideways on a banana peel and straight into a burning dumpster.
Company uses AI: I will assume that they also recklessly cut corners in other areas, too.
Well, that's not very Good Old Games of them.
Gross. I also noticed how their job posting the other day had AI use as a requirement. Seems like they're going all in on AI.
Oof, that means more business for Steam, from me! I do not truck with anything AI, so GOG made it clear they don't need my business.
Bad news. There's tons of AI slop on Steam. And also DRM.
Good news, developers have to flag their slop and I don't buy just any game blindly. I think, consider, and come to a conclusion about a potential purchase before making it. Slop tends to be obvious, but, I still shop cautiously despite that fact. I don't necessarily mind DRM, but, I know it also means that game ownership is an illusion on Steam vs GOG. If GOG does in fact stop engaging with AI garbage, they can have my business back. I do prefer GOG because of their DRM-Free games.
Fair.
I just sent GOG a complaint about the banner and urged them to recant. I cited your post as evidence that they are driving people to Steam, so hopefully the money will persuade them if the moral arguments don't.
Money has always screamed louder than ethics or morals ever will...This is why economic boycotts, particularly those with high participation get results. Pairing moral arguments with depriving a company of cash is highly effective.
yo danny gog what the fuck
GOG dev job posting quote:
Actively use and promote AI-assisted development tools to increase team efficiency and code quality
https://www.gog.com/en/work/senior-software-engineer-c-gog-galaxy
I would LOVE to see how this increases code quality 😂 I have to use AI coding tools at work, and they're quick, but the code they generate is DOGSHIT. Iterate so many times on even the simplest of projects, and insanity is bound to unfold.
You ABSOLUTELY need to babysit it, which is more trouble than it's worth for big projects.
Kinda off-topic but I discovered today that both Qobuz and Tidal host and recommend AI slop music on their front page. I thought it was restricted to YouTube or Spotify, but it seems that everyone is doing it now. There is no streaming service anymore that curates content.
Qobuz at least has adopted a clear stance on AI use this month: https://community.qobuz.com/ai-charter
We are strongly committed to fighting fraud and apply a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to AI-generated content and AI-driven streaming activities. Our measures include:
- Detection and monitoring systems for AI-generated content (in development) and fraudulent streaming patterns (effective)
- Right to remove fraudulent catalogs when issues are identified
So maybe give them a couple of months to roll out their promised tech. If this charter turns out to be all talk then fuck'em but right now it's (in my opinion) to early to tell
I haven't seen Wobuz recommending AI music. Of anything, they seem to take it dows as soon as you flag it.
Unsubscribed from all mail from them and won't be touching them for the foreseeable future. Shame.
Yesterday I was looking for something interesting in their shop.
Well, missed the bullet.
Using em-dashes in 2026. Big oof.
Ok ... but is this like a marketing strat for engagement (they will apologise, revert the practice, get like an official stance on AI, & get publicity along the way) or was it just for the ease of the process?
I'm guessing but artists prob weren't a big budget figure for their needs, so it not cutting costs that much, right?
Check out this dev job posting: https://www.gog.com/en/work/senior-software-engineer-c-gog-galaxy
Actively use and promote AI-assisted development tools to increase team efficiency and code quality
Yeah don't think so
And
Active use of AI tools in daily development workflows, and enthusiasm for helping the team increase adoption
I believe it kinda might be. They're independent now so money has to go up or else they're gone.
Being right after the ownership change, the near future's going to be unknown and decisions will be testy. Gog moving forward will be quite an interesting sight.
And managers are all hyped over AI or they don't get hired (it's always some bs like this, like everything was "agile" at one point, etc).