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Amazon Game Studios Executive Discusses Future of 007 First Light Sequels, Clarifies Publisher Status

Last week, Amazon gaming general manager Jeff Gattis rather put the cat amongst the pigeons when talking about James Bond’s future in games now IO Interactive’s 007 First Light is out. He was cited by Polygon as having said that, since they’ll be happening post-Amazon’s acquisition of the full Bond rights, any follow-up would be “done by MGM and, theoretically, by Amazon Game Studios”.

When asked about Gattis’ comments, Amazon were quick to declare that it’s “still too early to discuss future projects”. Now, Gattis himself has claimed that he never confirmed Amazon Game Studios would be publishing the next Bond game, while once again not setting in stone whether IO Interactive will be returning as its developers.

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“Crazy Taxi: World Tour Director Talks About the Continuous Importance of Generative AI in Game Creation”

### Crazy Taxi: World Tour and the Part of Generative AI in Game Development

Following a lengthy break of more than twenty years, Sega has recently unveiled the revival of its legendary franchise with *Crazy Taxi: World Tour* at the Xbox Summer Showcase. This announcement ignited enthusiasm among dedicated fans, who nostalgically recalled the original games that blended frantic driving with an entertaining and swift concept. Yet, this excitement was soon dampened when it was disclosed that generative AI played a role in the game’s development.

#### The Disclosure of Generative AI Application

The public was first informed about the use of generative AI via a statement on the game’s Steam page, which explained that Sega is utilizing this technology as an assisting tool for developers. The message stated, “At SEGA Corporation, we employ generative AI as a support mechanism for developers, aimed at delivering enhanced content to our users and allowing developers to concentrate more on creative endeavors.” Crucially, Sega highlighted that AI was not involved concerning the actors presented in the game.

In a follow-up message to *Game Informer*, Sega expanded on the application of generative AI, indicating that it was mainly employed for crafting background assets. The company reassured fans that any content generated by AI underwent rigorous review by the development team prior to inclusion in the game.

#### Perspectives from Kenji Kanno, Creator of Crazy Taxi

At the Summer Game Fest’s Play Days event, original series creator Kenji Kanno shared further perspectives on the incorporation of generative AI in *World Tour*. Kanno stated that the team utilized AI-generated visuals as references for artists. This signifies that while AI played a part in the brainstorming phase, all final assets and programming were completed by human creators. “Real creators, everything from programming to assets, all is crafted by an actual human,” Kanno confirmed.

When queried about balancing the advantages of employing generative AI against possible public dissent, Kanno recognized that the technology is divisive but asserted that *World Tour* strictly utilized generative AI for ideation and reference functions. He voiced a tempered optimism regarding the outlook of AI in game development while emphasizing the human-centered nature of their creative approach.

#### The Wider Discussion on Generative AI in Game Development

The implementation of generative AI in game design has spurred widespread discussion within the industry. While some companies are testing this technology to expedite development and lower expenses, detractors argue that it introduces substantial ethical issues. Generative AI systems often rely on existing works created by human artists, prompting worries about copyright violations and the risk of plagiarized material.

Moreover, the adoption of generative AI has raised alarms about the potential dislocation of creative jobs as companies may aim to lower labor expenses. Critics underscore how this could restrain the distinctive creativity that human artists contribute.

In recent times, industry responses have resulted in awards organizations deciding to disqualify works generated with generative AI from consideration for honors. Notably, the game *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* missed out on an award after accusations surfaced concerning the use of AI-generated assets that were incorporated into the final version. The aftermath has motivated some developers, including Sandfall Interactive, to pledge to utilize solely human-generated content in forthcoming projects.

### Conclusion

The announcement of *Crazy Taxi: World Tour* signifies an important milestone for Sega and a nostalgic moment for enthusiasts. Nonetheless, the integration of generative AI into the development process presents a complicated contrast between innovation and ethical considerations. As the gaming industry contemplates the ramifications of this technology, Sega appears to be striving for a balanced methodology that emphasizes human creativity while investigating new developmental tools. The ongoing dialogue surrounding AI’s role in gaming is likely to influence the future of game development in the years ahead.

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“New Demo of Virtue and a Sledgehammer Features Emotional Family Themes and Intense Wall-Smashing Action”

Deconstructeam, of Many Nights a Whisper and The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood, say their newest game Virtue and a Sledgehammer is about “feeling like you no longer belong in the place you grew up.” Judging from the newly released demo, it’s also about catharsis. Chunky, crumbly, crushing catharsis, injected through the handle of misappropriated demolition equipment.

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Gears Of War E-Day Gameplay Showcases the Invasion of the Locust Horde

### Xbox Summer Game Fest Showcase Highlights: Gears of War: E-Day

At the recent Xbox Summer Game Fest Showcase, enthusiasts got an in-depth look at gameplay for the eagerly awaited title, **Gears of War: E-Day**. Set to launch on October 6, 2023, this latest entry in the renowned cover shooter series will be exclusive to Xbox Series X/S and PC, reaffirming Xbox’s dedication to the franchise.

#### A Return to Form

The newly unveiled gameplay footage plunges players into a gritty urban environment where beloved characters Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago are depicted fighting against the Locust during their initial offensive on Sera. The sequence encapsulates the heart of traditional Gears gameplay, highlighting familiar elements such as active reloads and the classic lancer weapon, stirring nostalgia among longtime fans of the series.

The prequel storyline places players in the early periods of the Locust War, offering background that deepens the Gears universe. Viewers watched as Marcus fought valiantly against well-known foes while sporting his weathered Gears armor—a gratifying sight for fans who have tracked his journey since the series began.

#### Console Exclusivity Confirmed

Making headlines post gameplay reveal, Xbox’s new CEO, Asha Sharma, addressed the audience to clarify the game’s accessibility. She affirmed that **Gears of War: E-Day** would remain a console exclusive, refuting prior speculations about a potential port for the PlayStation 5. This revelation has ignited conversations within the gaming community regarding Xbox’s strategic initiatives and their prioritization of exclusive titles.

#### Conclusion

With its release date set for October 6, **Gears of War: E-Day** is ready to become a substantial addition to the franchise. As anticipation heightens leading up to the launch, fans eagerly await re-entering the realm of Gears equipped with new narratives, innovative gameplay, and a revitalized sense of adventure designed for both Xbox Series X/S and PC gamers.

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Xbox Affirms Gears Of War: E-Day Stays Exclusive to Xbox and Will Not Launch on PlayStation 5

**New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma Confirms Exclusive Status for Gears of War: E-Day**

In a noteworthy development for Xbox enthusiasts, the newly appointed CEO Asha Sharma revealed that the eagerly awaited game, *Gears of War: E-Day*, will stay a console exclusive for Xbox Series X/S. This choice emerges amid earlier reports hinting at the possibility of the game being released on Sony’s PlayStation 5. By pledging to exclusivity, Microsoft seeks to reclaim the allegiance of dedicated gamers within its community.

The announcement was made during the Xbox summer showcase, succeeding the reveal of an extended gameplay trailer that showcased the action and storytelling fans have come to expect from the *Gears of War* series. This revelation came after a short period of uncertainty, as a placeholder page for *Gears of War: E-Day* briefly appeared on Walmart’s website, listing it for PS5 before being quickly removed.

Sharma’s stance on exclusivity was among the first major declarations she has made since succeeding Phil Spencer earlier this year. Since her appointment, she has been faced with the pivotal task of shaping Xbox’s gaming strategy in an increasingly competitive environment, especially as Microsoft has been moving towards becoming a third-party publisher, distributing its games across multiple platforms.

In a recent interview, Sharma recognized the intricacies surrounding game exclusivity. “I think it’s a challenging issue,” she remarked. “Look, we’re the second-largest publisher globally. And to be a successful publisher, your games need to reach broad audiences to be played.” Nevertheless, she also stressed the necessity of exclusivity as a means to fortify Xbox as a platform. “At the same time, we’re progressively evolving into a platform. To be a platform, you need to offer exclusive content and services,” she clarified.

This strategic adjustment implies that while not every Xbox game will revert to exclusivity, a more selective approach will be adopted moving forward. For example, *Forza Horizon 6* is still slated to launch on PS5 later this year, and the reboot of *Fable* has already been identified as a multiplatform release. Regardless, Sharma’s recent decision signifies a substantial change, suggesting that other first-party Xbox titles may not be expected to be accessible on rival consoles at launch.

As the gaming sector continues to progress, this reaffirmation of exclusivity for *Gears of War: E-Day* marks a significant moment in Xbox’s journey. The industry will be closely monitoring how this decision affects Microsoft’s connections with its fanbase and its competitors in the years ahead.