"The Jans' Survival Journey": Living Through Challenges Alongside Jan and Various Jans
In the expansive realm of video games, "The Alters" by 11 Bit Studios has recently made waves, not just for its engaging gameplay, but also for a controversy surrounding the use of AI-generated content. The game, rated for ages 16 and up (USK), is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and costs around 30 euros.
The game's protagonist, Jan, finds himself stranded on an alien planet in search of a mysterious resource called Rapidium. To aid him in his mission, Jan utilizes a quantum computer, Rapidium, and a machine in his base to create alternative versions of himself. Tragically, his crew perished during landing, leaving him to complete the mission alone.
Jan's alternative selves, or the 'Alters', play a crucial role in the game. They assist in optimizing the mobile base, building more resource storage, taking care of their well-being, and performing tasks such as mining ore, producing food, and researching new technologies. However, the fates of the alternative Jans in the game's mission remain unknown, despite the controversy surrounding the game.
One of the Alters, a technician, initially resists being awakened in a foreign world by his double. Protagonist Jan may also have to confront alternative versions of himself who may have had a better life.
The game's story allows for player decisions that lead to different endings, adding an element of unpredictability to the narrative. This survival management game set in a science fiction setting has been praised for its immersive gameplay, but it has also been criticized for using AI-created content without proper labeling.
Players have found AI responses in the game's text and translations, which were initially intended as placeholders and were supposed to be replaced by human translations. However, the use of AI-generated content was not disclosed on the game's Steam page, which is against Steam's policies requiring clear disclosure of AI-generated content.
11 Bit Studios has since apologized and announced plans to remove the AI-generated content through hotfixes. The controversy highlights the importance of transparency in game development, especially regarding the use of AI-generated content.
As the dust settles, "The Alters" continues to offer a unique and engaging gaming experience, with its blend of survival management, science fiction, and intriguing narrative. The controversy surrounding its use of AI-generated content serves as a reminder for developers to prioritize transparency in their practices.
The game's unique blend of survival management, science fiction, and intriguing narrative employs artificial-intelligence, as shown by the AI-generated responses found in the game's text and translations. However, the use of this technology was not disclosed, sparking a debate on transparency in the entertainment industry, particularly in movies-and-tv, video games, and artificial-intelligence.
