Recreate Games, the developer behind the popular multiplayer game Party Animals, has reversed course on its $75,000 AI Video Contest after facing intense backlash from the gaming community.
The contest, announced on May 15, 2025, invited players to submit AI-generated videos for a chance to win cash prizes. However, the announcement was met with immediate and widespread criticism, with fans arguing that AI-generated content conflicted with the game’s handcrafted, playful aesthetic.
The original Twitter/X post announcing the contest received 3,400 replies and 2,200 reposts—but only 500 likes, signaling overwhelming disapproval. The engagement ratio was described as one of the most negative in recent gaming history.
In response, Recreate Games issued a public apology today, stating:
"We’d like to address the recent discussion around the AI video contest, and first of all, we’re sorry for upsetting players with this event. We’re also sorry that we didn’t communicate with everyone clearly enough before the event started. Our original goal was to lower the barrier to creation. In past contests, we saw players with great ideas and scripts who couldn’t fully bring them to life because they weren’t familiar with tools like editing, modeling, or animation software. We hoped AI could be a more accessible tool that lets more people take part."
The studio emphasized that its intention was not to dismiss handmade work but to provide another creative tool:
"We are not trying to dismiss handmade work or disrespect creators. To us, AI is just another tool. What we truly care about is the idea, the expression, and the final work."
The backlash extended beyond social media, with players flooding Steam with negative reviews. As of today, recent reviews for Party Animals on Steam are listed as Mostly Negative, though the game still holds an overall Mostly Positive rating based on all-time reviews.
In an attempt to address concerns, Recreate Games launched a poll asking players how to proceed with the contest. Within the first hour, the majority of voters chose to cancel it entirely.
The developer has not yet confirmed whether the contest will be permanently canceled or replaced with an alternative event.
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