The announcement of Graveyard Keeper 2 quickly turned into a heated discussion within the community, as players began questioning whether AI-generated content was used in the game’s development.

The controversy started when fans noticed that the key promotional artwork looked unusual, with some claiming it resembled visuals commonly produced by generative AI. This sparked widespread criticism, with concerns that the sequel might lose the distinct hand-crafted charm that defined the original game.

Suspicion Fueled by Developer Behavior

Part of the backlash was driven by Slava Cherkasov, CTO and co-founder of Lazy Bear Games, who has been openly supportive of AI technology.

He frequently shares AI-generated images online and has even posted content inspired by Graveyard Keeper using AI tools. This led many players, especially on Reddit, to speculate that the sequel might rely heavily on AI in its production.

The situation escalated quickly, with fans expressing concern that the game could become a low-effort AI-driven project rather than a carefully crafted experience.

Developer Responds Directly

In response, Slava Cherkasov personally stepped in to address the rumors. He clearly stated that no AI was used in the development of Graveyard Keeper 2.

He acknowledged his personal interest in experimenting with AI tools, explaining that as a tech enthusiast, it is natural to explore new technologies. However, he emphasized that these experiments are completely unrelated to the game itself.

A Human-Driven Creative Team

Cherkasov further clarified that the game’s art is handled by a team of eight professional artists, alongside dedicated specialists for sound and music.

He reassured players that all creative aspects of the game remain human-made, and that his AI experiments are limited to private side projects that have never been publicly released.

Community Reaction Remains Divided

Despite the clarification, the community response has been mixed.

Some players feel reassured and are willing to continue supporting the project. Others remain skeptical, choosing to wait for official trailers or gameplay footage before making any judgments.

The situation reflects a broader concern within the gaming industry, where the growing presence of AI raises questions about authenticity, creativity, and trust.

A Test of Trust Moving Forward

Graveyard Keeper 2 still carries strong expectations from fans of the original game. If the final product delivers quality comparable to its predecessor and proves its handcrafted identity, it could easily regain player confidence.

However, for now, the developers face the challenge of demonstrating that human creativity remains at the heart of this quirky graveyard management world.

 Origin: PCGamer