A Game Maker's Change of Heart: Why One Dev is Pulling Their AI Game

A game creator has decided to remove their AI-assisted roguelike card game from Steam. The game, called Hardest, was released in June 2025 and will be taken down on January 30, 2026. The developer, Rakuel, made this choice after realizing the broader impacts of using AI-generated content. Rakuel initially used AI tools to create assets for the game. They thought it was a good idea because these tools were free and easily accessible. However, they later understood that AI is not truly free. It has significant effects on the economy and the environment. Rakuel worries that AI companies might use their game to get more investments. These investments could drain resources from hardworking people.Rakuel coded the game themselves, so they can create a new game with real assets in the future. They believe keeping Hardest on Steam is unethical. It is a disgrace to game makers and players. The decision to remove the game was influenced by someone close to Rakuel. A person they have been dating for a month helped them see the real dangers of AI. Hardest has mixed reviews on Steam, with 54% positive feedback. It is a rock-paper-scissors-style card game with unique features. Players can stop time, summon tsunamis, and collect rare cards. Rakuel also shared the game's code publicly on GitHub. This was meant as a learning experience, but it turned into a personal lesson about AI. This story raises important questions. How do we balance convenience and ethics in game development? What are the real costs of using AI tools? These are questions that all game makers and players should consider.