Game developer Aggro Crab has expressed frustration over the surge in AI-made clones of its popular game Peak Climbing, which sold over 8 million copies in its first week. The game, created in partnership with Landfall, was originally developed as part of a game jam, but its massive success has made it vulnerable to copycats.
AI-generated games and clones are flooding digital storefronts, including PlayStation Store and Roblox. These low-effort scams can be tricky to track down, with some being difficult to distinguish from the original game. Aggro Crab’s Nick Kaman says that using AI to create clones is “lazy” and takes away from the value of human-made content.
The issue is not new, but it has become more pressing as AI technology advances. Developers are finding it increasingly challenging to tackle clones legally, with copyright protection limited to specific cases. Platforms hold significant power in ridding storefronts of these clones, but small studios often bear the brunt of the effort in filing reports and sorting out issues.
To combat this issue, Aggro Crab is taking a stand, publicly denouncing AI-made clones and encouraging players to support the original game instead. The company’s focus on human creativity and value has led Kaman to say that he prefers players “pirate our game than play this microtransaction-riddled [Roblox] slop ripoff.”
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/ai-slop-is-ripping-off-one-of-summers-best-games-fighting-back-is-harder-than-you-think