Active Matter developers put up an incredibly distasteful AI notice on Steam

11 Sep 2026 at 7:29 am UTC | Last updated: 11 Sep 2026 at 1:20 pm UTC [updated]
By Liam Squires-Hand

Active Matter from Gaijin Network Ltd looks like a lot of fun for fans of first-person shooters, but they soured it with a truly distasteful AI notice.

This isn't even getting into my own personal thoughts on generative AI, but rather the attempt from developer Matter Team to dive into what I assume is supposed to be an edgy joke. The problem is, what they said is just so abhorrent that I am amazed someone actually signed off on having this published to the official Steam page:

The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this:

In-game AI character Ms. Second is using AI generated voice. Using humans voices for AI character would be cultural appropriation.

Cultural appropriation. Really? That's what we're going with? I'm pretty lost for words on the stupidity here.

Their PR team did already send over review keys to GamingOnLinux, and I asked them what they were thinking with this notice and to clarify how generative AI is being used (I assume they are actually using AI for that voice) and I am yet to receive a reply. I will update if they do reply.

Update - 10:39 UTC - Gaijin replied and simply said:

"We do not use generative AI for anything other than for Ms. Second. And even there, the choice is deliberate: we use an AI-generated voice not to cut costs, or speed up production, but because we see it as a postmodern artistic statement – an AI character quite literally speaking with an AI-generated voice"

Update #2 - 13:04 UTC - Gaijin followed up to say:

"In other words, we think AI should be voiced by AI - not to offend AI. This feels especially important nowadays, with AGI almost here. That's all we can say, unpacking the whole AI cultural narrative isn’t really our place."

That…just…I'm completely lost for words. Pure stupidity. I'm baffled by their thinking. Either they've completely lost the plot on AI or they're determined to go deep into what they see as a joke without thinking about the industry at all, and how stupidly insensitive it is to joke about cultural appropriation.

Release Date: 📅 15th September 2026Platform: 🐧 Native LinuxDevs:Gaijin Network Ltd, Matter TeamOfficial links:Steam Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com. Tags: Native Linux, AI, Extraction Shooter, FPS, Steam, Upcoming | Apps: Active Matter 17 Likes Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:Ubisoft's FOR HONOR will block SteamOS / Linux on September 10Bazzite Linux 44 for handhelds finally launches with some massive upgradesWARDOGS developers clarify Linux support via Proton may come laterW4 Games, the company formed by Godot Engine veterans, gets help and funding from Tencent All posts need to follow our rules. Please hit the Report Flag icon on any post that breaks the rules or contains illegal / harmful content. Readers can also email us for any issues or concerns.