This week on @aiandgames.com we let @tommy.aiandgames.com rant about the news. Including Nintendo holding off on price increases, Bitmagic’s AI-driven game engine (and Civilisation clone), Sony's AI podcasts, and the ridiculously overblown response to Genie 3. www.aiandgames.com/p/genie-3-sp...

From this list... I feel very strongly about: 1. AAA Studios Will (Quietly) Double-Down on Gen AI (they don't know how else to be profitable) 2. PC and Console Gaming Will Outpace Consumer Budgets, and Players Will Blame AI (PS5 Pro - $750🙄) 3. On-Device (Generative) AI Will Surge (costsss!!!)

We're kicking 2026 into high gear with a newsletter issue on predictions for AI in the games industry this year. It covers the big issues we expect to see in the next 12 months. Including a prediction of 7000 AI-tagged games on Steam - which is not great. www.aiandgames.com/p/10-predict...

You can see the difference in writing skills in this! While @tommy.aiandgames.com has paragraphs on why he loved a game. I had a hard time coming up with 3 lines. 😅 How do you keep saying it was a fun game in different words?

As we're wrapping up for the holidays, what better time to post our behind-the-scenes vlog from running this year's AI and Games Conference. Thank you so much to everyone who joined us in London back in November, and we'll be announcing our 2026 plans soon! www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3f5...

Our final big meaty issue of the year is out! Game AI's Existential Crisis (Part II) is now live. In this chapter @tommy.aiandgames.com explores how Game AI education is a fractured knowledge space propped up by a handful of individuals. www.aiandgames.com/p/game-ais-e...

They are doing Christmas week at the daycare, and now I have these gingerbread cookies in my house from the teachers, saying my child helped with these. She is 1, and I know her skill levels. I am terrified to try these cookies.

This is going to be my first livestream so I am mostly nervous! But should be fun. ☺️

We are just 14 paid subscribers away from our target to launch the AI and Games Podcast! We have so many cool interviews we want to share in detail with everyone, and I am so excited about all the new ones we will get to do. Can we please make this happen by the end of the year!

This is a great example of interview we did recently! open.substack.com/pub/aiandgam...

That said… if you have indie game and you want to talk about the GameAI in it. We would love to interview you. Get in touch with me please! #IndieGame #GameAI

So @shraddhagupta.bsky.social and I were discussing today how views on @aiandgames.com this year are no doubt lower not just because of YouTube being shit, but we covered more niche projects. Our videos on Trepang2 and Blood Typers had the lowest views but glad to see viewers check those games out.

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...

I didn't realise this was his full name.

Tell me you don't subscribe to @aiandgames.com without telling me you don't subscribe to @aiandgames.com.

Don't worry, we know what you're after.

I am kinda missing this madness now! @tommy.aiandgames.com @aphraella.bsky.social @alanzucconi.com @msiemonsmeier.bsky.social

The @conference.aiandgames.com is packed! Day 1

New Video is Out!!! In the episode @tommy.aiandgames.com explores David Durst’s Stanford research on using transformer neural networks (the kind behind LLMs) to train bots that play Counter-Strike like pros and outperform traditional game AI. youtu.be/sOgfvb8y9j8 #MLMove #GameAI #GameDev

Here’s a sneak peek at why you need to be at the AI and Games Conference 2025 this November in London by @tommy.aiandgames.com. For all the detailed updates check out @conference.aiandgames.com. #AIandGames #Conference2025 #GameAI #GameDev #IndieGames

What’s with people not reaching on time? Especially when they make such a big deal about time. If you know you will be late the least you can do is let me know!

Supporting thousands of simulated NPCs in the open world of KCD2 by Petr Smrček (Warhorse Studios). Learn how AI LOD made nearly 2,400 NPCs possible. Balancing scale & performance to create truly living worlds. 🗓️ Nov 3–4 | London 🎟️ www.tickettailor.com/events/gamea... #AIandGames #KCD2 #GameDev

Navigating Legal Frontiers: How the Law Applies to AI in 2025 by Rupam Davé (Lewis Silkin LLP) explores IP, data, liability & regulation shaping AI in games. Practical insights for devs & publishers. 🗓️ Nov 3–4, London 🎟️ Tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/gamea... #AIandGames #GameDev #AI #Law

Latent Landscapes: Using ML to Generate Terrain in Prologue: Go Wayback! by Joey Faulkner (Playerunknown Productions). Learn how ML + PCG create resilient, varied worlds — and the pitfalls to avoid. 🗓️ Nov 3–4, London 🎟️ Tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/gamea... #AIandGames #GameDev #AI #PCG

I am currently obsessed with @tinybookshopgame.com . Such a happy cozy game! 💛

My morning started with my daughter dropping and breaking a dozen eggs. And then she sat in the mess she made just so she can spread everything. #Parenting

Our latest Design Dive episode is out! Watch @tommy.aiandgames.com talk about #DonkeyKongBananza using the cutest and simplest trick of the bark system to communicate the relationship between the titular gorilla and his companion, Pauline. #GameDev #NarrativeDesign www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyGY...

Newsletter update - Catch up on all that is happening in the games industry and AI. This week's special is a closer look at Devcom and Gamescom which @tommy.aiandgames.com attended last week. www.aiandgames.com/p/reflection... #gamescom #devcom #gamedev #indiegames #AIandGames

I really do! 😁

I’ve loved every minute of working with @tommy.aiandgames.com. My pet project is the AI and Games podcast where we talk to the people actually building things with AI in games. Not just the usual GenAI buzzwords, but real use cases, challenges, and outcomes.

Why are his answers stressing me out? Especially to questions - How does AI determine “truth”? - In 2030.. how do we know what is real? youtu.be/hmtuvNfytjM?... #GPT5 #SamAltman

Just 1 week left to submit your talk! Don’t wait till the last minute. Meet our final advisor @alanzucconi.com , Senior Lecturer at Goldsmiths, one of 5 experts here to help shape your talk. 🎤 Submit by 1 Aug: submit.aiandgamesconference.com #AIandGames #GameDev #Conference2025

My sister introduced me to orange espresso coffee! It was shit. There was orange juice with coffee. Like why? Why? Why? 🧐 #coffeesky

Time’s almost up: If you’ve been meaning to hit send, now’s your moment. Whether you’re sharing an experiment, a breakthrough, or just a fresh take on AI in games — we’d love to hear it. Submit your talk before 1Aug: 👉 submit.aiandgamesconference.com #AIandGames #GameDev #GamesIndustry

Today is the last Sunday before the talk submission deadline. Just 5 more days to go!

I am in love with the traffic cone story! 😂😂

🗞️ Newsletter update: @tommy.aiandgames.com dives into the growing flood of AI-generated shovelware on Steam and the real risk it poses to developers, players, and the industry at large. Read here: www.aiandgames.com/p/a-failure-... #AIandGames #GameDev #Steam #PlatformPolicy #GamingNews #IndieDev

My cat is having too much fun with her foster parents. I think she will forget me! #catsky #catparent

We return to Sevastapol one last time! Alien: Isolation - The Retrospective is a feature-length exploration of @creative-assembly.com's beloved horror title. Exploring the challenges faced in development, and its legacy 10 years later. #gamedev #gaming #alien www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeIk...

I have been told this will not be scary! So here we go. @tommy.aiandgames.com I am trusting you.

My daughter's latest quest, is to be able to get to the cat litter without being seen her so she can eat cat pop. And I am the evil monster keep her from finishing her quest. At what age/time should I use this to cause the most embarrassment?

We will be at Gamescom with Tempest Tower 🎉 Come say hi and try out the latest version of Tempest Tower at the Indie Arena Booth from 20th- 24th August! #gaming #indiegame #Gamescom2025

It's time... Join us on Monday June 30th at 7pm BST (8pm CEST / 2pm EDT / 11am PDT) for the live premiere of Alien: Isolation - The Retrospective. A feature-length look into the making of @creative-assembly.com's horror classic! #gamedev #gaming #alien #youtube www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeIk...

I don’t know if I am excited or scared. I have still not seen any alien footage! 😅

Thanks to everyone who's submitted their talks so far! 🎉 If you're still working on yours, our advisor @msiemonsmeier.bsky.social, Head of AI at Splash Damage, is here to help. 🗓️ Submissions close 1 Aug. Submit now: submit.aiandgamesconference.com #GameDev #AIandGames #IndieDev #Conference2025

Obligatory photo of the evening. We had a great turnout and I enjoyed chatting with everyone. Next stop: Develop!

We are starting our third day with Daria Radu and Reinforcement Learning for Card Games in the critically acclaimed Saltsea Chronicles! -- Despite the gloomy weather we are packed! #GameAISchool2025

This is my first time watching a talk @tommy.aiandgames.com is doing!

I really hope this lawsuit can have real impact in how IPs are being used in generative AI. Also it amazes me how much law @tommy.aiandgames.com is covering these days thanks to all this.

Exciting news! Tommy Thompson ‪@tommy.aiandgames.com‬ of AI and Games ‪@aiandgames.com fame joins the #GameAISchool2025! Tommy returns to host our flagship Industry Panel, bringing his signature insight and energy. Register: school.gameaibook.org#registration