A developer is deleting his game because his girlfriend convinced him AI art is wrong

We see games delisted for expiring licences, server shutdowns, and occasionally broken builds. But removing a game because of a significant other's ethical stance? That's a new one. This unprecedented AI art game delisting comes as the developer of the Steam card game Hardest is pulling the title permanently on 30 January following a change of heart regarding AI art.

The developer, Eero Laine (known as Rakuel), launched the free-to-play roguelike in July 2025. While the game mechanics were hand-coded, Laine used generative AI for the card illustrations—a decision he initially justified as a cost-saving measure for a solo student project. But after discussions with his new partner, he now views the game's existence as detrimental to the industry.

This decision highlights the growing tension around AI tools in creative work, a topic that has even reached major tech giants like in our recent AI partnership news coverage.

Indie Game Ethics: The Developer's Decision to Delist

Laine didn't mince words about his reversal. He explained that he originally used AI tools because they were free and readily available during his university days. "I made this game during the summer in a couple of months and thought to use AI because in university there is so much brainwashing on students," Laine said.

His perspective shifted after meeting his current girlfriend, who convinced him that using these tools comes with hidden costs. This re-evaluation of his initial decision brought to light the complexities of indie game ethics in the era of generative AI. "I have realised the AI is not actually free, and it has a major effect on the economy and environment," he noted. He went on to describe the game in its current state as "a disgrace to all game makers and players."

Rather than simply patching the game with new art later, Laine is opting for the nuclear option: total removal. He stated that while he coded everything himself and could theoretically remake it with real assets, the ethical choice was to delete it entirely.

Steam's AI Content Policy and the Surge in AI Game Adoption

This individual case sits against a backdrop of massive AI adoption on Steam. Since 2024, Valve has required developers to disclose AI content on their store pages. The numbers show a dramatic spike in developers leaning on these tools.

Here is how quickly AI disclosures have grown on the platform:

The jump from 1,000 titles in 2024 to nearly 8,000 in just the first half of 2025 suggests Laine's initial reliance on the tech is becoming the norm for small studios, even as the ethical debate intensifies.

Implications for Players: AI Art Delisting and Ethical Considerations

If you want to try Hardest before it disappears, you have until 30 January. It's a roguelike card game based on Rock Paper Scissors rules but adds chaotic abilities like time-stopping and tsunamis. Since it is free-to-play, there is no financial risk in checking it out, though the developer himself would likely urge you not to support it.

While this is a small indie game ethics story, it mirrors broader industry shifts where companies are rethinking their strategies, from studio closures to cancelling projects. Laine's move is rare because it puts personal ethics above the potential—however small—for profit, serving as a notable instance of an AI art game delisting due to ethical concerns.

For gamers in the UAE and beyond, it poses a question we'll likely face more often: does the way a game is made matter as much as how it plays?

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