The indie video game ‘Big Walk’, developed by Australian studio House House, has recently disclosed its limited use of artificial intelligence in its development process, sparking an intense debate within the gaming community and among Independent Games Festival (IGF) jurors. This revelation regarding ‘Big Walk’s AI use emerged on November 10, 2026, creating significant discussion about the eligibility of AI-assisted games for industry awards.
House House clarified their application of AI tools, specifically large language models (LLMs), stating that these were employed ‘sparingly’ during the ‘final stretch’ of the game’s development. According to an email sent to Aftermath, the developers estimated that ‘well under 0.1%’ of ‘Big Walk’s code resulted from this usage, primarily to address ‘difficult technical challenges and bugs’. They explicitly noted that generative AI was not utilized in any other aspect of the game’s creation.
The studio explained that this disclosure was made because the matter had become one of public interest, rather than due to a requirement from platforms like Steam, which does not request information on code or chatbot usage. House House also expressed concern that such voluntary disclosures could inadvertently contribute to the ‘normalisation’ of AI technology, or its acceptance as ‘inevitable’. They offered an apology that ‘Big Walk’s LLM usage may not meet the standards’ of those working to restrict generative AI’s impact on video games and the broader world.
Independent Games Festival Debate Intensifies
The revelation about ‘Big Walk’s AI use has intensified discussions surrounding the 2027 Independent Games Festival (IGF). A group of IGF jurors previously announced their firm stance against games developed with generative AI, declaring they would ‘declining to vote for any game that uses generative AI in any capacity.’ ‘Big Walk’ is among the titles submitted for the IGF, with finalists expected to be announced in January 2027, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz.
These jurors noted a ‘significant increase’ in submitted games utilizing generative AI tools and urged the IGF to implement a strong anti-AI policy. While some in the jury pool expressed profound disappointment over ‘Big Walk’s AI integration, others viewed it as a reflection of current technological trends. The studio itself acknowledged the absence of an internal AI usage policy during ‘Big Walk’s development as a ‘failure’ and committed to establishing a more comprehensive policy for future projects.
Broader Implications for Game Development
The controversy surrounding ‘Big Walk’ underscores a wider industry dialogue about the role of artificial intelligence in creative processes. This situation highlights the ongoing challenge for game developers, award organizations, and the community to establish clear ethical guidelines and policies for emerging technologies. The outcomes of such debates could influence future investment in game development tools, impact intellectual property discussions, and shape consumer expectations globally, affecting stakeholders across the international gaming landscape.
As a specific example of their AI usage, House House described a technical issue where Unity’s Universal Render Pipeline (URP) inefficiently culled shadow casters, causing performance drops. After extensive research and even consulting a Unity engineer without success, an LLM chatbot suggested a potential fix. Although the suggestion required significant modification, it ultimately provided a solution involving approximately 10 lines of code within URP. House House emphasized that this action was not an endorsement of AI tools, despite its minimal use, and remains committed to the work of limiting potential harm from generative AI.
Looking ahead, the gaming industry will keenly observe how bodies like the IGF formalize their policies regarding AI-assisted games and how individual studios navigate the integration of such tools. The ongoing discussion surrounding ‘Big Walk’ will likely serve as a significant point of reference in shaping future standards for ethical development and award recognition in the creative sector.
Image: Aftermath
Sources consulted
- Aftermath: Big Walk Used AI In ‘The Final Stretch’ Of Development, Kicking Off Intense Awards Debate
- GamesIndustry.biz: House House clarifies use of AI tools in Big Walk’s “final stage of development”
- Video Games Chronicle: Big Walk studio says it used AI ‘sparingly’ in response to indie award jury statement against its use
Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
