With developer TiGames having recently unveiled its next major title – Zoopunk – the studio has since been facing criticism over its potential use of generative AI in the game’s development. Responding to these criticisms, which started popping up thanks to a video from back in January showcasing Nvidia’s generative AI technologies through Zoopunk specifically, the studio has released a statement saying that the title was made with humans.
In its statement to Eurogamer, the studio noted that the only use of AI in Zoopunk is to offer tools for players that might want to partake in creating user-generated content for the game. This includes allowing players to use AI to make their own character or vehicle skins, for example. The game itself, according to TiGames, has original creations made by dedicated artists.
“All our works are original creations and the culmination of our artists’ hard work and dedication,” said TiGames in its statement. “AI will only be used to assist players in producing user-generated content (UGC) at a lower cost, such as vehicle skins, clothing color schemes, and similar items. In other words, AI serves as a tool to support players in secondary creations and in maintaining the mod community.”
Zoopunk was officially unveiled earlier this week during the recent Xbox Partner Showcase. It was revealed through a trailer that showed off its anthropomorphic characters pulling off crazy stunts. The trailer revolved around a single mission that revolves around the protagonist looking for the “Spark”, and also gave us a look at its melee combat. Along with this, we also got to see an impressive variety of enemies to fight, which included robotic animals as well as major boss fights that players will have to take on.
In the trailer, the “Spark” is captured by a rival group before the protagonist is able to get their hands on it. It is then left up to the rabbit hero to once more acquire the “Spark” while also dealing with the rival group in the process. The fast-paced third-person action combat is showcased quite extensively, with the trailer also confirming that there will be support characters that will further augment the player’s combat capabilities in some of the larger fights.
The studio has also confirmed that the upcoming title – slated for release on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2027 – takes place in the same universe that we first saw in F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch. In a post announcing the title, the studio noted that Zoopunk represent a major change and challenge for its future, especially owing to the transition from side-scrolling gameplay to 3D action.
“We’ve poured our pursuit of top-tier action and our commitment to uncompromising quality into every detail,” wrote the developer. “Of course, stepping into a new gameplay direction is a risk—but it’s exactly the kind of challenge we want to embrace.”
“Zoopunk is still in development, and far from perfect. That is precisely why we want to share our world with you early—to listen, to learn, and to grow this universe together with the players who care about it.”
