(Image credit: Amistech Games)
My Winter Car has hit the scene as the grittier sequel to My Summer Car, a meticulously crafted yet punishing car simulation that has stealthily risen to fame among survival games on Steam since its Early Access debut in October 2016. This new title just kicked off its own Early Access phase on December 29, priced at $15, and it’s already racked up an impressive 11,051 user reviews, boasting a staggering 95% “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam. Intriguingly, it’s achieved this milestone despite making more extensive use of AI-generated content.
With My Winter Car, Amistech Games—a “very small development team”—has boldly embraced the survival game tag. They caution players that this latest installment in the Seasonal Car Ownership series is no cakewalk, advising newcomers to the franchise to tread carefully. The game has also incorporated generative AI elements to a greater degree than its predecessor.
My Summer Car features a subtle AI content disclosure on Steam: “There are some AI-generated paintings found inside the main house.” Contrast this with My Winter Car’s more comprehensive disclosure, which states: “Some base textures have been AI generated during development. Some in-game imagery and speech audio from the TV programs are AI generated. Additionally, some in-game radio music is AI generated.” It’s still a bit murky whether these textures were merely used during development or if they made it into the final build—but what’s clear is that this sequel has chosen to lean into AI more heavily across various facets.
Games like Arc Raiders have shown that titles can be both enjoyable and successful even with AI-generated content—think of the weak AI voices that populate its characters and callouts. In the case of My Winter Car, AI-generated content appears to complement the experience rather than define it. After all, it’s not about the sounds or the tunes; it’s about the adrenaline rush of battling the cold while tearing up the roads in a clunky vehicle.
The game’s appeal seems to resonate with a dedicated community that relishes the chaotic fun of navigating a treacherous Finnish winter landscape, even if AI elements are at play. It’s essential to highlight this not as definitive proof that players are indifferent to AI-generated assets—there’s definitely a significant portion of gamers who voice their concerns about such practices. Nevertheless, My Winter Car stands as an intriguing indie success heading into 2026, reinforcing the idea that games can flourish while utilizing AI-generated components.
Troy Baker, known for his role in The Last of Us, suggests that we shouldn’t vilify generative AI. Instead, he posits it may push creators towards crafting more “authentic” experiences rather than the drivel that sometimes surfaces in games.