AI game clones are making indie developers afraid to show their work

The delay of Steam Next Fest, a demo event for indie game developers, is a sign of a growing concern among indie developers about the prevalence of AI game clones. These clones are games that are created using AI tools, often with minimal modifications, and have been flooding the market, making it difficult for original indie games to stand out. The AI-generated games are often created quickly and cheaply, using tools like Agon's Game Development Studio, which can produce a game in a matter of weeks. This has led to a surge in the number of games being released on platforms like Steam, making it harder for original games to get noticed. The delay of Steam Next Fest, which was originally scheduled for March 2023, is seen as a sign of the growing problem, as it may be pushed back indefinitely due to the overwhelming number of AI-generated games.