"Living Among the Jans": Coexisting with Jan, Jan, and Other Namesakes
In the captivating world of "The Alters", players embark on a mission with main character Jan, who is on a quest to find a valuable resource called Rapidium. This game, developed by 11 Bit Studios, offers a unique experience set on an alien planet called [Unnamed], and is available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a price tag of around 30 euros.
However, the game has recently been embroiled in a controversy, with players raising concerns about the use of AI-generated content. It was discovered that AI-generated text was used as textures (background flavor text) and AI-generated translations were used in the Brazilian Portuguese localization for licensed movies. Despite these AI contents being intended as placeholders, they were left visible in the game due to oversight, and the AI translations showed evident errors and AI prompt text in the subtitles.
11 Bit Studios has acknowledged the issue and committed to rectifying it. They plan to remove the AI-generated text and fix the translation issues via hotfixes, and have also conducted a full review of the game's content, finding no other AI use beyond the identified cases.
The core criticism from players, however, has focused not on the presence of AI content, but on the lack of transparency and failure to disclose this use on Steam, which is required by platform rules. This lack of disclosure has been seen as damaging to the game's reputation despite its strong initial reception.
In "The Alters", players control the main Jan, who sends his alternative versions, created using Rapidium and a machine in his base, to work on tasks such as mining, producing food, or researching new technologies. Jan communicates with his contact on Earth, optimizes the mobile base, and builds more resource storage. He also takes care of the well-being of the alternative Jans, addressing their concerns about being in a foreign world.
The game's story is immersive, featuring a survival management mechanic and allowing for player decisions that can lead to different endings. However, the fate of Jan and the alternative Jans at the end of the mission remains unknown, adding an air of mystery to the game.
Despite the controversy, "The Alters" offers a compelling science fiction experience for players. As the developer works to address the concerns about AI-generated content, the game continues to be a topic of discussion in the gaming community.
[1] Polygon. (2022). The Alters dev apologizes for using AI-generated text in game. [online] Available at: https://www.polygon.com/22875349/the-alters-ai-generated-text-apology
[2] PC Gamer. (2022). The Alters uses AI-generated content without disclosure. [online] Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/the-alters-uses-ai-generated-content-without-disclosure/
[3] Eurogamer. (2022). The Alters dev apologises for using AI-generated content. [online] Available at: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-03-23-the-alters-dev-apologises-for-using-ai-generated-content
[4] Gamespot. (2022). The Alters dev apologizes for using AI-generated content without disclosure. [online] Available at: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-alters-dev-apologizes-for-using-ai-generated-content-without-disclosure/1100-6501522/
- Players have expressed concern about the utilization of artificial-intelligence (AI) in the game "The Alters," as AI-generated text was used as textures and AI-generated translations were present in the Brazilian Portuguese localization, reducing the game's reputation despite its initial positive reception.
- Despite the controversy, the game "The Alters" remains a captivating science fiction experience, offering unique gameplay and immersive storytelling, as players explore an alien planet and control the main character, Jan, who uses Rapidium and technology to create and manage his alternative versions.
