Most Wishlisted Game on Steam Comes From “AI-First” Company, and It Should Raise More Eyebrows
The debate around generative AI, not to be confused with more simplistic game AI (such as NPCs reacting to players), has hit a fever pitch in recent weeks. After Larian confirmed its use of genAI in the development process for Divinity, the backlash saw CEO Swen Vincke schedule a developer AMA in 2026 to discuss how the team uses it. At the same time, Expedition 33 had its GOTY award stripped from the Indie Game Awards because of its genAI use, and even Blue Prince caught strays as folks accused it of using genAI (it did not). Amid this ongoing controversy, it’s worth pointing out that the most-wishlisted game on Steam comes from a self-declared “AI-First” company.
No doubt, the genAI debate will continue in the coming weeks and months. One of the chief reasons for its increasingly common use is its supposed ability to speed up the development process in an era where video games take longer to develop than ever before; in other words, many studios essentially see it as a shortcut to a very real challenge. At the same time, Larian’s Vincke said he saw no faster productivity in its use in Bloomberg’s interview, but other companies are doubling, if not tripling down on the technology. Krafton recently declared itself an “AI-First company,” and the most wishlisted game on Steam is being published by it: Subnautica 2.
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Between the genAI controversy, the controversial firings at developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment by Krafton, the various issues with genAI use, and so many other fine points that’ll impact Subnautica 2, I don’t even know where to begin. But I guess I’ll start where every video game should: the player. The fact is, most players are not going to know any game used genAI unless the developers just do it with no tact. The fact that secrecy and “tact” are somewhat required is a problem in and of itself. Misinformation is everywhere, but a lack of being informed is a whole other beast.
GenAI Relies on You Ignoring Conditions That Could Wreck the Industry
Not to sound the alarm on anything, but continued and high use of genAI will erode consumer trust, change and minimize publishing practices, dehumanize the entire process, permanently alter and essentially create a new market, and cause waning interest in gaming PCs and consoles (with the latter being exacerbated by the ongoing RAM and affordability crises). Throw in the saturation of home consoles, which is unlikely, and I didn’t just describe the risks of genAI—I described the various conditions contributing to the Video Game Crash of 1983. I still don’t think a second Video Game Crash will happen, but the possible similarities are undeniable, and the end result is going to be bad for everyone who calls themself a gamer.
“Joshua, get off your soapbox and get to the point of why I clicked this article.” FINE, SORRY, I YAP BECAUSE I CARE. Just look at this, pay attention to the nonsense “words” in the “game,” and tell me what seems so good about this technology.
Subnautica 2 is the Most Wishlisted Game on Steam, and It’s Coming from the AI-First Company Krafton
Unknown Worlds Entertainment’s Subnautica is incredibly popular with fans and is, at least in part, the brainchild of developers Charles Cleveland, Max McGuire, and Ted Gill (the human element of the game). The sequel has so much anticipation that it has constantly flirted with, remained in the top few, and held the spot of most wishlisted game on Steam throughout 2025. Steam describes Subnautica 2 as an open-water survival game from the “creators of the Subnautica series.” Players can explore new biomes and discover unique underwater creatures, all while crafting vehicles, tools, and bases in an alien world.
The messaging is on point, but that messaging was established before the very public debacle between Krafton and Unknown Worlds Entertainment’s Cleveland, McGuire, and Gill began. Amid a pending lawsuit, Krafton CEO Kim Chang-han declared Krafton to be an AI-first company. Its workforce? Krafton has reportedly been offering buyouts to employees that include a few months to a few years of salary, as first reported by Business Korea.
Subnautica 2 Publisher Reportedly Asked ChatGPT for Help to Avoid $250M Payment
Amid Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton’s legal dispute with UWE’s co-founders is the claim that the former asked ChatGPT for help avoiding the payment.
And while plenty are rightfully concerned about genAI use in games, many seemingly, simply do not care. Will they care when they discover a fish with six fingers (and hands for that matter) in Subnautica 2? I’m unsure. What I am sure about is that Subnautica 2‘s spot on Steam’s most wishlisted list communicates to many developers that genAI, and potentially even AI-first companies, are not damaging to the bottom line. The world says to vote with your wallet, and what is capitalism if not a rigged election? Regardless, the messaging from Subnautica 2′s spot at the top is clear to developers, and it is one sent by players.
It is this AI-first attitude, developers who remain at Unknown World Entertainment, and the lawsuit that Subnautica 2 will apparently launch in. It currently still has an early access release date of 2026, and while it’s been a while since any real announcement or reveal for Subnautica 2, that hasn’t slowed its momentum. GenAI fish are apparently the future, sorry aquariums.