An independent developer decided to remove his game Hardest from the Steam store at the end of January 2026, for a surprising reason.
Hardest is a free roguelike game whose graphics and music were created using artificial intelligence tools. Since its release in July 2025, its creator, Eero Laine, has changed his mind about the use of AI. He now believes that the economic and environmental impact is negative and that the game, as it stands, is “a disgrace to creators and players.” He explains that it was his new girlfriend who convinced him that AI is problematic, prompting him to make this decision:
“From an ethical standpoint, the only logical decision is to remove the game from Steam. It was my girlfriend, whom I’ve been dating for a month, who made me realize this.”
The developer is considering eventually re-releasing Hardest, or a new game, with human-created assets if the opportunity arises.
