1666: Amsterdam’s developer says it ‘won’t be using AI anymore’, and the tech was only used ‘in conception and pre-production’—arguably the most creative phase of the entire process
The highly anticipated 1666: Amsterdam, the dream project of Assassin’s Creed co-creator Patrice Désilets, faced immediate backlash following its reveal at Summer Game Fest. Alongside the announcement, Panache Digital Games released a playable prologue, which quickly drew criticism from players who identified in-game assets that appeared to be generated using artificial intelligence.
The studio subsequently acknowledged the use of generative AI technology during the production of certain assets and issued an apology. In response to community concerns, Panache Digital Games committed to removing all AI-generated elements before the game’s early access launch and pledged to discontinue AI usage in future development.
Developer Désilets addressed the controversy by clarifying that AI was only utilized during the conception and pre-production phases of development—stages he characterized as “arguably the most creative phase of the entire process.” This framing sparked further discussion about the nature of generative AI’s role in creative work.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension within the gaming community regarding the integration of generative AI in game development. While some view AI as a valuable tool for streamlining production workflows, others express concerns about creative integrity, artistic ethics, and the displacement of human creators. The discovery of AI-generated assets in a high-profile release from a veteran developer sparked discussions about transparency and industry standards around AI usage in game production.