Tommy Thompson
@tommy.aiandgames.com
That Scottish AI and games guy...
__
Founder of @aiandgames.com
Game AI Programmer & Consultant
Public speaker, educator, nuisance
BAFTA Connect
He-Him, PhD
--
Weekly Newsletter: aiandgames.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@aiandgames
__
Founder of @aiandgames.com
Game AI Programmer & Consultant
Public speaker, educator, nuisance
BAFTA Connect
He-Him, PhD
--
Weekly Newsletter: aiandgames.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@aiandgames
Pinned
Tommy Thompson
@tommy.aiandgames.com
· Jan 14
Can we just get back to everyone being annoyed at AI in games because the NPCs won't walk through the damn doors correctly?
I kinda miss those days.
I kinda miss those days.
My partner burst into my office to tell me "six-seven is about to die because Keir Starmer did the dance at a school visit".
Feels like this is the sort of thing my brain will process in my dying moments (touch wood).
I'm having a stroke and my brain's just throwing words together.
Feels like this is the sort of thing my brain will process in my dying moments (touch wood).
I'm having a stroke and my brain's just throwing words together.
a group of south park characters are standing in front of lockers with the number 67 on the floor
ALT: a group of south park characters are standing in front of lockers with the number 67 on the floor
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
My partner burst into my office to tell me "six-seven is about to die because Keir Starmer did the dance at a school visit".
Feels like this is the sort of thing my brain will process in my dying moments (touch wood).
I'm having a stroke and my brain's just throwing words together.
Feels like this is the sort of thing my brain will process in my dying moments (touch wood).
I'm having a stroke and my brain's just throwing words together.
Wrapped up Dispatch tonight and I found it an interesting mix. A really well executed and engaging iteration on the old Telltale formula while equally reminding of everything that frustrated me about those games.
Who would've thought FMV games would make a 2025 comeback? 😅
Who would've thought FMV games would make a 2025 comeback? 😅
a man in a blue shirt is talking to a superhero in a parking lot
ALT: a man in a blue shirt is talking to a superhero in a parking lot
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Wrapped up Dispatch tonight and I found it an interesting mix. A really well executed and engaging iteration on the old Telltale formula while equally reminding of everything that frustrated me about those games.
Who would've thought FMV games would make a 2025 comeback? 😅
Who would've thought FMV games would make a 2025 comeback? 😅
I know we've had a week to enjoy this. But the two things I keep coming back to are:
1) It's kinda sad this guy cannot maintain short to mid-term memory of the last time he played a game and lost.
2) Alexa *doesn't answer his question*.
A world going to hell because nobody can fucking count.
1) It's kinda sad this guy cannot maintain short to mid-term memory of the last time he played a game and lost.
2) Alexa *doesn't answer his question*.
A world going to hell because nobody can fucking count.
November 23, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I know we've had a week to enjoy this. But the two things I keep coming back to are:
1) It's kinda sad this guy cannot maintain short to mid-term memory of the last time he played a game and lost.
2) Alexa *doesn't answer his question*.
A world going to hell because nobody can fucking count.
1) It's kinda sad this guy cannot maintain short to mid-term memory of the last time he played a game and lost.
2) Alexa *doesn't answer his question*.
A world going to hell because nobody can fucking count.
So I was in Paris this week as Ubisoft invited me to check out their new generative AI tech demo.
Chris gives a really good breakdown of the experience, and I'll be talking about it in next weeks @aiandgames.com newsletter as well.
Chris gives a really good breakdown of the experience, and I'll be talking about it in next weeks @aiandgames.com newsletter as well.
The future of gaming, or "just a tool"? We went hands-on with Teammates, Ubisoft's ambitious voice AI tech demo.
www.videogameschronicle.com/features/the...
www.videogameschronicle.com/features/the...
The future of gaming, or ‘just a tool’? Hands-on with Teammates, Ubisoft’s ambitious voice AI tech demo | VGC
We tried Ubisoft’s in-game cloud AI project…
www.videogameschronicle.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:29 PM
So I was in Paris this week as Ubisoft invited me to check out their new generative AI tech demo.
Chris gives a really good breakdown of the experience, and I'll be talking about it in next weeks @aiandgames.com newsletter as well.
Chris gives a really good breakdown of the experience, and I'll be talking about it in next weeks @aiandgames.com newsletter as well.
This week has been a great reminder of why I miss living in Scotland.
This week has been a great reminder of why I love living in Scotland.
November 21, 2025 at 7:49 AM
This week has been a great reminder of why I miss living in Scotland.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
People using Chrome may want to know about this.
To disable the new default AI mode. Type chrome://flags in your address bar. Search for AI mode in the search box below and disable the three options displayed.
To disable the new default AI mode. Type chrome://flags in your address bar. Search for AI mode in the search box below and disable the three options displayed.
November 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
People using Chrome may want to know about this.
To disable the new default AI mode. Type chrome://flags in your address bar. Search for AI mode in the search box below and disable the three options displayed.
To disable the new default AI mode. Type chrome://flags in your address bar. Search for AI mode in the search box below and disable the three options displayed.
So hey, I'm away at a PR event. But I wanted to say it's great to see this piece connect with people.
www.aiandgames.com/p/arc-raider...
Fun fact: I've noticed in general BlueSky audiences are aligned with it while on LinkedIn people really don't like it.
Gleam from that what you will.
www.aiandgames.com/p/arc-raider...
Fun fact: I've noticed in general BlueSky audiences are aligned with it while on LinkedIn people really don't like it.
Gleam from that what you will.
Arc Raiders and the Ethical Use of Generative AI | 19/11/25
We discuss the issues surrounding Embark's use of AI voices
www.aiandgames.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:04 PM
So hey, I'm away at a PR event. But I wanted to say it's great to see this piece connect with people.
www.aiandgames.com/p/arc-raider...
Fun fact: I've noticed in general BlueSky audiences are aligned with it while on LinkedIn people really don't like it.
Gleam from that what you will.
www.aiandgames.com/p/arc-raider...
Fun fact: I've noticed in general BlueSky audiences are aligned with it while on LinkedIn people really don't like it.
Gleam from that what you will.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Last week the venerable @georgeosborn.bsky.social reached out with a question submitted to this @vgim.bsky.social newsletter regarding the ethical issues surrounding the use of AI in Arc Raiders.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
The release of Arc Raiders has raised significant concerns about the ethics of utilising generative AI in a AAA game. It’s important we understand that for whatever gains AI delivers, who is losing out, and what impact does that have on the industry?
Read on!
www.aiandgames.com/p/arc-raider...
Read on!
www.aiandgames.com/p/arc-raider...
Arc Raiders and the Ethical Use of Generative AI | 19/11/25
We discuss the issues surrounding Embark's use of AI voices
www.aiandgames.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Last week the venerable @georgeosborn.bsky.social reached out with a question submitted to this @vgim.bsky.social newsletter regarding the ethical issues surrounding the use of AI in Arc Raiders.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
Last week the venerable @georgeosborn.bsky.social reached out with a question submitted to this @vgim.bsky.social newsletter regarding the ethical issues surrounding the use of AI in Arc Raiders.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
The release of Arc Raiders has raised significant concerns about the ethics of utilising generative AI in a AAA game. It’s important we understand that for whatever gains AI delivers, who is losing out, and what impact does that have on the industry?
Read on!
www.aiandgames.com/p/arc-raider...
Read on!
www.aiandgames.com/p/arc-raider...
Arc Raiders and the Ethical Use of Generative AI | 19/11/25
We discuss the issues surrounding Embark's use of AI voices
www.aiandgames.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Last week the venerable @georgeosborn.bsky.social reached out with a question submitted to this @vgim.bsky.social newsletter regarding the ethical issues surrounding the use of AI in Arc Raiders.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Anthropic will pay Microsoft to pay Nvidia so Microsoft and Nvidia can pay Anthropic
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/a...
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/a...
Anthropic to buy $30 billion in Azure capacity in new deal with Microsoft, Nvidia
www.cnbc.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Anthropic will pay Microsoft to pay Nvidia so Microsoft and Nvidia can pay Anthropic
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/a...
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/a...
Tell me you don't subscribe to @aiandgames.com without telling me you don't subscribe to @aiandgames.com.
"Surely there's a middle ground here?" The CEO of Helldivers 2 studio Arrowhead says people "jump to extreme takes" when debating generative AI, and that there needs to be more nuance in the discussion.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/surely-...
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/surely-...
‘Surely there’s a middle ground here?’ Helldivers studio CEO says people ‘jump to extreme takes’ when debating GenAI | VGC
“This is such a trigger point for big parts of the games industry today”…
www.videogameschronicle.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Tell me you don't subscribe to @aiandgames.com without telling me you don't subscribe to @aiandgames.com.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
1. Great, let's do this
2. Here's some useful info (from my agent). You have until March 23, 2026 and it now includes illustrators
3. Here is the Works Lookup link: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
2. Here's some useful info (from my agent). You have until March 23, 2026 and it now includes illustrators
3. Here is the Works Lookup link: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
November 18, 2025 at 4:45 AM
1. Great, let's do this
2. Here's some useful info (from my agent). You have until March 23, 2026 and it now includes illustrators
3. Here is the Works Lookup link: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
2. Here's some useful info (from my agent). You have until March 23, 2026 and it now includes illustrators
3. Here is the Works Lookup link: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
So yeah... um, on the whole AI debate. Thanks to George prodding me last week, you've got a 4000+ word newsletter issue all about the ethical issues of Arc Raiders generative AI adoption on Wednesday.
So yeah, go subscribe to our @aiandgames.com newsletter if you haven't already.
So yeah, go subscribe to our @aiandgames.com newsletter if you haven't already.
I still think the most sensible comment on all this remains @tommy.aiandgames.com arguing for the importance of distinguishing between "generative AI as an industry" and "generative AI as a technology"
"Surely there's a middle ground here?" The CEO of Helldivers 2 studio Arrowhead says people "jump to extreme takes" when debating generative AI, and that there needs to be more nuance in the discussion.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/surely-...
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/surely-...
November 17, 2025 at 8:46 PM
So yeah... um, on the whole AI debate. Thanks to George prodding me last week, you've got a 4000+ word newsletter issue all about the ethical issues of Arc Raiders generative AI adoption on Wednesday.
So yeah, go subscribe to our @aiandgames.com newsletter if you haven't already.
So yeah, go subscribe to our @aiandgames.com newsletter if you haven't already.
Used to put curse words in my placeholder text so that I *needed* to replace them before our next public demo.
After all, we were making a PEGI 3 rated platformer 😅
After all, we were making a PEGI 3 rated platformer 😅
In gamedev, if you're using a placeholder asset, best practices involve marking it as placeholder so garishly and offensively clearly PLACEHOLDER that you can't possibly miss it. Also flagging that asset in the dev process so it can be identified quickly before the final build.
November 17, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Used to put curse words in my placeholder text so that I *needed* to replace them before our next public demo.
After all, we were making a PEGI 3 rated platformer 😅
After all, we were making a PEGI 3 rated platformer 😅
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Happens so much in gaming now. Yes, video games have always adopted new tech, and AI like machine learning has been a part of that. Hell, Rogue used generative algorithms in the 80s.
But the use of GenAI in gaming is new, and quite different. Although companies using it love to say it isn't.
But the use of GenAI in gaming is new, and quite different. Although companies using it love to say it isn't.
Conflating machine learning tools with GenAI and LLMs are such a favorite of these bad faith arguments, too. Like, machines studying X-rays to better understand cancer is not the same thing as Open AI swallowing all my books via piracy to regurgitate sentences that sound similar. It's just not.
November 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Happens so much in gaming now. Yes, video games have always adopted new tech, and AI like machine learning has been a part of that. Hell, Rogue used generative algorithms in the 80s.
But the use of GenAI in gaming is new, and quite different. Although companies using it love to say it isn't.
But the use of GenAI in gaming is new, and quite different. Although companies using it love to say it isn't.
It's all a bit dreich... so I'm going to spend the rest of my Friday afternoon working away on my Condemned: Criminal Origins playthrough.
Going live at 15.00 GMT (so in like 15 minutes)
Twitch: twitch.tv/aiandgames
YouTube: youtube.com/live/h7DyAfG...
Going live at 15.00 GMT (so in like 15 minutes)
Twitch: twitch.tv/aiandgames
YouTube: youtube.com/live/h7DyAfG...
AI and Games Plays Condemned: Criminal Origins (Part II)
YouTube video by AI and Games Plus
youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:48 PM
It's all a bit dreich... so I'm going to spend the rest of my Friday afternoon working away on my Condemned: Criminal Origins playthrough.
Going live at 15.00 GMT (so in like 15 minutes)
Twitch: twitch.tv/aiandgames
YouTube: youtube.com/live/h7DyAfG...
Going live at 15.00 GMT (so in like 15 minutes)
Twitch: twitch.tv/aiandgames
YouTube: youtube.com/live/h7DyAfG...
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
There are gaming events out there highlighting indie games in the United Kingdom, definitely gems out there to discover
Brilliant Indie Treasures Showcase
💎Free to showcase
💎50 hand-selected indie games
💎Ticket price less than a fancy coffee
Back again in Brighton, July 2026
Brilliant Indie Treasures Showcase
💎Free to showcase
💎50 hand-selected indie games
💎Ticket price less than a fancy coffee
Back again in Brighton, July 2026
November 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
There are gaming events out there highlighting indie games in the United Kingdom, definitely gems out there to discover
Brilliant Indie Treasures Showcase
💎Free to showcase
💎50 hand-selected indie games
💎Ticket price less than a fancy coffee
Back again in Brighton, July 2026
Brilliant Indie Treasures Showcase
💎Free to showcase
💎50 hand-selected indie games
💎Ticket price less than a fancy coffee
Back again in Brighton, July 2026
I'm still catching up on the discourse but...
1) You mean generative AI little CEO man
2) No they're not
3) A lot of studios have explored it, but very few have gone all in.
4) While Nexon is Korean, be aware that a lot Asian studios are speaking up now on gen AI as political posturing.
1) You mean generative AI little CEO man
2) No they're not
3) A lot of studios have explored it, but very few have gone all in.
4) While Nexon is Korean, be aware that a lot Asian studios are speaking up now on gen AI as political posturing.
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm - AUTOMATON WEST
In an interview following the launch of ARC Raiders, the CEO of Embark Studios' parent company Nexon shares his views on AI.
automaton-media.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:53 AM
I'm still catching up on the discourse but...
1) You mean generative AI little CEO man
2) No they're not
3) A lot of studios have explored it, but very few have gone all in.
4) While Nexon is Korean, be aware that a lot Asian studios are speaking up now on gen AI as political posturing.
1) You mean generative AI little CEO man
2) No they're not
3) A lot of studios have explored it, but very few have gone all in.
4) While Nexon is Korean, be aware that a lot Asian studios are speaking up now on gen AI as political posturing.
What do you mean it's been a week since @conference.aiandgames.com?
My first week 'back' has me crawling through so many nonsense AI stories and holding them to account.
But hey, we have awesome photos from the conference too. Check those out!
My first week 'back' has me crawling through so many nonsense AI stories and holding them to account.
But hey, we have awesome photos from the conference too. Check those out!
We're still getting back to our regular rhythm at AI and Games HQ, so for this week's edition @tommy.aiandgames.com catches up with the headlines, and gives a quick recap of the AI and Games Conference - plus some official photos from the event!
www.aiandgames.com/p/post-confe...
www.aiandgames.com/p/post-confe...
Post-Conference Blues and Headline Round-Up | 12/11/25
Sponsored by Lingotion: leading the way on legal and ethical AI acting for games.
www.aiandgames.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:45 AM
What do you mean it's been a week since @conference.aiandgames.com?
My first week 'back' has me crawling through so many nonsense AI stories and holding them to account.
But hey, we have awesome photos from the conference too. Check those out!
My first week 'back' has me crawling through so many nonsense AI stories and holding them to account.
But hey, we have awesome photos from the conference too. Check those out!
Wakes up to discover someone said something stupid about generative AI in video games.
a man in a white tank top walks down a street with the words okay here we go again below him
ALT: a man in a white tank top walks down a street with the words okay here we go again below him
media.tenor.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Wakes up to discover someone said something stupid about generative AI in video games.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
I continue to believe very strongly that a person's reaction to generative AI is directly correlated to whether it presents any existential risks to your craft. This is why senior engineers and CEOs are so psyched about it, and artists and writers are rallying against it.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has defended AI following Eurogamer's 2/5 Arc Raiders review, which criticised the game's use use of AI voice generation. "AI dialog generation + human personality and tuning could totally transform gaming," Sweeney said.
www.gamesindustry.biz/epics-tim-sw...
www.gamesindustry.biz/epics-tim-sw...
Epic's Tim Sweeney wades into the Arc Raiders AI row
"This technology increases human productivity in some areas by integer multiples"
www.gamesindustry.biz
November 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I continue to believe very strongly that a person's reaction to generative AI is directly correlated to whether it presents any existential risks to your craft. This is why senior engineers and CEOs are so psyched about it, and artists and writers are rallying against it.
Really appreciate the effort in the review to highlight that while there is some very cool AI in Arc Raiders, there's equally some very uncool AI too.
The Finals got away with it's cheap and tacky sounding AI voices because it fit the theme. But it sucks they doubled down on it so aggressively.
The Finals got away with it's cheap and tacky sounding AI voices because it fit the theme. But it sucks they doubled down on it so aggressively.
My review of ARC Raiders is now live. It's a well designed extraction shooter. But Embark Studios' use of AI voices is indefensible in a game that has benefited so much from human speech. www.eurogamer.net/arc-raiders-...
Arc Raiders review - a smartly designed extraction shooter marred by one inexcusable decision
Rich combat and an unusually friendly community make Arc Raiders an cracking extraction shooter, but Embark Studios' continued use of AI voices is inexcusable.
www.eurogamer.net
November 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Really appreciate the effort in the review to highlight that while there is some very cool AI in Arc Raiders, there's equally some very uncool AI too.
The Finals got away with it's cheap and tacky sounding AI voices because it fit the theme. But it sucks they doubled down on it so aggressively.
The Finals got away with it's cheap and tacky sounding AI voices because it fit the theme. But it sucks they doubled down on it so aggressively.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
It's a monday! Which means I'm sending out my weekly automation and quality engineering newsletter later!
Did you know every Monday I sent out a newsletter with some of this week's thoughts on automation in games? And I won't make you make a substack account!!!
andrewfray.dev/newsletter.h...
andrewfray.dev/newsletter.h...
Andrew Fray - Newsletter
Sign up for Andrew’s Automation newsletter for game developers
andrewfray.dev
November 10, 2025 at 10:51 AM
It's a monday! Which means I'm sending out my weekly automation and quality engineering newsletter later!
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Don't worry, we know what you're after.
November 10, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Don't worry, we know what you're after.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Now you can touch our game! (on PS5)
EU: www.thegamecollection.net/products/int...
US: www.amazon.com/Into-Restles...
EU: www.thegamecollection.net/products/int...
US: www.amazon.com/Into-Restles...
November 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Now you can touch our game! (on PS5)
EU: www.thegamecollection.net/products/int...
US: www.amazon.com/Into-Restles...
EU: www.thegamecollection.net/products/int...
US: www.amazon.com/Into-Restles...