The Truth Behind Catly’s Trailer and AI Speculations
The highly anticipated open-world cat game, Catly, showcased its trailer at The Game Awards last week, sparking rumors of generative AI being used. However, the developer of the game has come forward to deny these speculations.
According to a statement from a PR representative for Catly’s developer, SuperAuthenti, the trailer and the game itself were not created using generative AI technology. The developer expressed surprise at the rumors, stating that industry experts have also debunked the notion of such advanced AI tools existing.
Despite initial suspicions from viewers, both IGN and Game Developer were shown behind-the-scenes shots of the trailer, confirming that it was not AI-generated.
The Link to Blockchain Gaming and NFTs
Concerns were raised by reddit users about potential connections between SuperAuthenti and blockchain gaming, particularly due to the involvement of Kevin Yeung, a co-founder of the company. Yeung is also associated with TenthPlanet, a studio working on blockchain games like Alien Mews.
While similarities between Catly and other blockchain games have been noted, the developer has clarified that Catly is not a blockchain game and does not involve any NFTs.
Industry Endorsements and Unreal Engine 5 Development
Notably, Catly’s Steam page features testimonials from industry figures like Thomas Vu, a web3 investor, and Ben Brode, game director of Hearthstone. Both individuals praised the game’s visuals and gameplay, dismissing AI speculation.
In response to queries about the game’s development, SuperAuthenti confirmed that Catly was built using Unreal Engine 5 and utilized various software to create hyperrealistic visuals, particularly the intricate details of hair and fur.
AI’s Impact on the Gaming Industry
The use of AI in video game development is becoming increasingly prevalent, blurring the lines between AI-generated content and hand-crafted creations. Companies like Google are even introducing tools like Genie 2, which claims to create playable 3D worlds from a single image prompt for rapid prototyping.