1666: Amsterdam: impact of the AI decision on development

Intelligence Summary
- Developer Patrice Désilets confirms 1666: Amsterdam will no longer use AI, raising questions about the game's impact.
In brief
- Patrice Désilets, the creator of Assassin's Creed, has announced that no more AI will be used in the development of 1666: Amsterdam.
- The decision follows community backlash over the use of AI in the game industry.
- The game, set in a supernatural version of 17th-century Amsterdam, is a long-awaited project that has been in development since 2013.
GAME-scanner analysis
Désilets' announcement comes at a crucial moment for the game industry, where the ethics of AI use are increasingly being debated. By opting for fully human development, Panache Digital Games is not only trying to safeguard the game's quality, but also to win back players' trust. However, this could also raise questions about development efficiency and costs, especially given the project's long history. The choice to use AI only in concepting and pre-production may point to a strategic move to preserve creativity and authenticity, but it also raises questions about which specific AI tools were used and how they affected the final gameplay.
What does this mean for players?
For players, this decision means they can expect a more traditional development approach, which could result in a more authentic and polished gameplay experience. However, the absence of AI could also affect development speed, potentially leading to delays or less innovative gameplay. Players will be eager to see the final impact of this decision on the quality and depth of 1666: Amsterdam.
Timeline
2013: Original cancellation of the 1666 project during Désilets' time at THQ Montreal.
2026-08-29: Expected release of 1666: Amsterdam, now without AI in development.