Japanese visual novel developer Mages has announced Juggernaut, a retro-style shooter that relies heavily on generative AI for its source code, graphics, and sound production.

Key Points

• Mages, known for the Steins;Gate series, is pivoting from visual novels to a 90s-inspired shooter titled Juggernaut.
• The developer disclosed that 100 percent of the game's source code and effects were created using generative AI models.
• AI tools also account for 60 percent of the game's graphics and 50 percent of its audio assets.
• The game features a zombie-themed objective requiring players to defeat 5,000 enemies.
• English-speaking fans have responded negatively to the announcement, citing concerns over the game's aesthetic and the extensive use of AI.

Why it Matters

This release marks a significant shift in industry standards as Mages becomes one of the first major Japanese studios to launch a title almost entirely generated by AI. The project highlights a growing divide between developers experimenting with automation and a player base that remains skeptical of AI-produced content.