Digital Sun Delays ReVamp Playtest Amid Concerns Over AI Cloning
- Digital Sun has postponed the Steam playtest of its game ReVamp due to fears of reverse-engineering and cloning.
- The first playtest will now occur on Discord starting October 29, with a public version expected in January 2024.
- Full release of ReVamp is set for March 25, 2027.
Digital Sun, the indie studio known for the popular roguelike Moonlighter and RTS Cataclismo, has announced a delay to the anticipated Steam playtest of its upcoming title ReVamp. The decision is driven by concerns about “games being reverse-engineered, cloned and published before the original is even out.”
Initially, the playtest for the vampiric “Tower Defensevania” was scheduled for late October. However, the studio is apprehensive about a surge in generative AI technologies that are enabling the cloning of both existing and unreleased games.
In a recent Steam blog post, Digital Sun acknowledged the high level of interest, thanking those who signed up for ReVamp’s first playtest. The developer has opted for a more controlled initial release mechanism through Discord, stating, “Even if you don’t get in right away, we’d love for you to join the conversation around ReVamp as we let more players in.”
The playtesting will commence on October 29, with waves of access granted to Discord participants, while a public playtest is anticipated in January 2024. Digital Sun expressed its concerns regarding the risks associated with sharing a build with a large audience months before the official launch, emphasizing that it is “too big a risk.” For players who registered interest on Steam, the studio extends its apologies for the alteration in plans.
ReVamp is slated for full launch on March 25, 2027. The studio remains hopeful that this strategy will effectively deter potential clones of the game.
Digital Sun’s challenges reflect a broader trend in the gaming industry, as other developers also navigate the implications of generative AI. For instance, Xbox has established a new department focused on generative AI in game development. Additionally, Alliance Arts recently canceled a Steam Next Fest demo for its game Drunken Goddess Reflux due to similar concerns about AI-facilitated imitation.
While Steam Next Fest 2026 is expected to showcase a variety of exciting and lesser-known titles, the advent of generative AI poses a significant concern that could overshadow the event’s traditional appeal.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
