AI-generated content is often looked at as lazy or generally poor. But that’s not always the case, and My Winter Car proves it.
My Winter Car is a project car-building simulator and a successor to the widely appreciated My Summer Car. The game uses AI-generated content for textures and audio in the game, which is a pretty small part of the game. Despite having AI-generated content in it, it still managed to accrue “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews on Steam, which is a big deal.
But what does it say about AI-generated content used in game development? Well, if used correctly, it’s a fantastic tool. Most gamers don’t really care about whether a developer uses AI or not; what matters is the end product.
Players Care More About The Experience Than The Tools
The reason why there is so much hate around AI-generated content is that it’s usually bad. But, if used correctly, like in My Winter Car, it can make things easier. Especially for indie games where resources and budget are already scarce.
It does raise eyebrows when people see an AI content disclosure under a game description, but if it’s used correctly and the game is great, most stop caring about it. The gaming community isn’t against AI content if it doesn’t hurt the experience.
The thing is, AI is here, and it’s going to stay, and developers are likely going to use it. And, if used correctly, it’s really beneficial. Things like textures and audio that could take a lot of time and money to create from scratch can be generated easily using AI. What matters is that it doesn’t compromise gameplay and polish.
Plus, AI worked really well in My Winter Car because the game has always been about authenticity over polish. Its strange design choices and clunky systems are kinda part of its charm. So, the use of AI actually fits it perfectly.
In the end, My Winter Car seems to prove that players are willing to look past AI content when the core experience delivers. For its community, authenticity isn’t about how assets are made. It’s about how the game makes you feel while barely surviving another day in rural Finland.
