"Too big a risk": Moonlighter devs delay new game's demo for fear of genAI cloning, calling on platforms to "keep strengthening protections for original work"
Moonlighter developers Digital Sun Games delayed ReVamp’s public Steam playtest due to fears of generative AI cloning, opting for a smaller Discord test first and aiming for January.
Moonlighter and Cataclismo studio Digital Sun Games announced they are postponing the public Steam playtest for their upcoming game ReVamp, citing concerns over generative AI being used to clone their work before release. The developers expressed worry after observing recent cases where games were reverse-engineered and published ahead of their original launch, making a large public build too risky at this stage.
Instead of the planned Steam playtest, Digital Sun Games will begin with a more contained closed playtest on Discord starting October 29, with the public playtest now scheduled for January. The developers emphasized the importance of early visibility for indie games while urging platforms to strengthen protections for original work, though they did not specify the measures they seek.
The decision follows a broader trend among indie developers to delay or cancel demos and playtests due to fears of AI-assisted cloning. Last week, the creators of Drunken Goddess Reflux canceled their planned demo for similar reasons, citing concerns that AI tools could quickly replicate their game’s presentation and gameplay before launch.
Digital Sun Games’ concerns reflect a growing unease in the indie development community about the risks of generative AI in an environment where viral gimmicks and easily appropriated content thrive. Despite the delay, the studio remains committed to proceeding with some form of playtest this year, signaling cautious optimism about ReVamp’s future despite the challenges posed by AI cloning risks.