It’s Okay to Use AI in Game Development (And Honestly, It’s Kind of Awesome)

Let’s get something out of the way right up front:

Using AI doesn’t make you a cheater, a fake dev, or less of an artist.
It makes you a modern developer—one who’s smart enough to use the tools available.

At Legend Games, we’re not afraid to say it: we use AI. And it’s helped us make better games, faster without sacrificing our creativity or our soul.

So let’s talk about why that’s okay—and why you shouldn’t feel guilty for doing the same.

The Indie Dev Reality

Making games is hard. Like… really hard.

You’re juggling:

Game design
Programming
Art
Sound
Narrative
Marketing
UI/UX
QA
And oh yeah… probably a day job and a life, too

Indie devs wear a thousand hats—and sometimes we don’t have the time, budget, or mental bandwidth to do everything from scratch. AI can help fill those gaps.

Just like you might use Unity plugins, Synty assets (👋), or free sound libraries, AI tools are just that: tools.

What We Use AI For (And What We Don’t)

At Legend Games, here’s how we use AI in a practical, ethical way:

✍️ Writing Support

We use AI to help with early drafts of things like item descriptions, dialogue options, and blog posts like this one. It’s not about replacing our voice—it’s about speeding up the process and fighting writer’s block.

🎨 Concepting + Ideation

AI-generated art helps us prototype environments, test color palettes, or brainstorm creature designs before diving into 3D. It’s fast and inspiring. Once we have a direction, we either build it ourselves or pass it to an artist.

🧠 Brainstorming Systems and Mechanics

Sometimes you just need a springboard. Whether we’re refining a puzzle idea or fleshing out a quest system, AI can help us think through logic, edge cases, and UX decisions.

What we don’t do:
We don’t just plug in a prompt, slap the result in the game, and call it a day. That’s not development—that’s copying. We treat AI like a team member: helpful, but not the final say.

But Is It “Cheating”?

Nope. Not unless you think calculators are cheating in math class.

Here’s the thing: game dev has always been about tools.
The tools just happen to be smarter now.

AI won’t:

Write your game’s soul
Design a level that feels just right
Craft emotional beats that hit players in the chest

That’s all still you. AI just helps you get there faster—or gives you a boost when you’re stuck.

The Gatekeeping Needs to Stop

There’s a loud corner of the internet that loves to dunk on devs who use AI. They call it lazy. They say it’s “not real art.” They act like the only valid path is grinding it out from scratch, no matter how unsustainable that is.

That’s gatekeeping. And it’s harmful.

The truth is, you don’t earn extra points for suffering.

If AI helps you finish your game, express your vision, and bring joy to players—use it. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not a “real” dev. If you care about what you’re making, and you’re building it with intention, then you are absolutely the real deal.

A Few Quick Tips for Using AI Responsibly in Dev

1. Use AI as a Jumpstart, Not a Crutch

Let it help you brainstorm, prototype, or speed up repetitive tasks. But always inject your own voice, edits, and polish. You’re the one crafting the experience.

2. Know Your Rights

Some AI tools have sketchy data policies. Stick to platforms that respect your privacy and don’t use copyrighted material without consent.

3. Be Transparent, Not Defensive

If you use AI, own it. Don’t hide it, and don’t apologize for it. Just be clear about what you used it for, and what you created yourself.

Transparency builds trust. And honestly, most players care more about the game than the toolchain behind it.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the big truth: AI won’t make a bad dev good—but it can make a good dev faster, sharper, and more capable of finishing something great.

At Legend Games, we’re embracing AI where it makes sense. We still design, write, tweak, obsess, and polish just like every other dev. But now we do it a little quicker—and with more headspace for what matters most: making games that tell stories and spark wonder.

So if you’re out there, feeling guilty for getting a little help from a neural net—don’t.

Use the tools. Make your game.

That’s what matters.

– Legend Games