Far Far West Publisher Bans AI Art After 1 Million Sales

Far Far West sold over 1 million copies in just three weeks. The publisher, Fireshine Games, has now said they will not work with companies that use generative AI for game art.
By Newsroom | Gaming, Business |

Fireshine Games, the publisher behind the early access sensation Far Far West, has declared a firm stance against the use of generative AI in game development by its partners. This declaration arrives as the sci-fi fantasy co-op shooter has reportedly sold over 1 million copies in a mere three weeks since its launch on April 28th.

As Steam early access sensation Far Far West sells over 1 million copies in three weeks, publisher Fireshine Games rejects generative AI - 1

Publisher Fireshine Games explicitly stated they "don't work with partners that are relying on generative AI or generative art." This "red line," as articulated by Fireshine CEO Brian Foote, distinguishes between generative AI for art assets and other AI tools, such as code completion assistants like Copilot. This policy positions Fireshine Games in a similar vein to Hooded Horse, a publisher that previously advised against using generative AI even for placeholder assets, citing concerns about these assets inadvertently entering final builds.

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As Steam early access sensation Far Far West sells over 1 million copies in three weeks, publisher Fireshine Games rejects generative AI - 2

The success of Far Far West, developed by Evil Raptor, is notable for a game that is not a live-service title and remains in early access. It has achieved significant traction on Steam, with a peak concurrent player count reported to be over 47,000. The game's appeal appears to lie in its chaotic 1-4 player co-op gameplay, often drawing comparisons to titles like Deep Rock Galactic and Helldivers 2. Players can customize robot cowboys and their steeds, traverse various environments, battle monsters, cast spells, and complete missions for bounties.

As Steam early access sensation Far Far West sells over 1 million copies in three weeks, publisher Fireshine Games rejects generative AI - 3

The publisher's clear demarcation on generative AI represents a significant development in the industry, impacting studio contracts and asset pipelines. This move signals a growing trend among creative industries to differentiate between generative AI for asset creation and utility AI tools aimed at enhancing developer productivity. The long-term implications of such policies, and the potential for further clarification from other studios and publishers regarding permitted AI tooling versus banned generative assets, remain subjects of ongoing observation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Far Far West's publisher ban generative AI?
Fireshine Games, the publisher of Far Far West, announced they will not work with partners that use generative AI for game art. This comes after their game sold over 1 million copies in three weeks.
Q: What is Fireshine Games' rule about AI?
Fireshine Games' CEO Brian Foote stated they do not work with partners using generative AI for art. They do allow other AI tools, like those that help write code.
Q: How successful has Far Far West been?
The game Far Far West, in early access, has sold over 1 million copies in the three weeks since its launch on April 28th. It also had over 47,000 players at its peak on Steam.
Q: What kind of game is Far Far West?
Far Far West is a sci-fi fantasy co-op shooter for 1-4 players. Players can customize robot cowboys, fight monsters, use spells, and complete missions.
Q: What does this mean for game development?
This policy by Fireshine Games shows a growing trend in the game industry to separate generative AI for art from other AI tools. It could affect future game contracts and how games are made.