DLC 644: Kahlief Adams: Crimson Desert, Marathon, DLSS 5, Subnautica 2, CounterStrike 2, Super Battle Golf, Big Walk
Mar 23, 2026
Lana Beshinsky, game developer and commentator on art direction and industry ethics. Kahlief Adams, journalist and podcaster from Spawn On Me who covers gaming culture. They debate NVIDIA's DLSS 5 and its 'beauty filter' effects. They discuss Crimson Desert's AI-art controversy and QA issues. They cover Subnautica 2 legal drama, Counter-Strike 2's reloading overhaul, and impressions of Marathon, Super Battle Golf, and Big Walk.
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Beauty Filters Hide Biased Training Data
- Developers feel DLSS 5's 'beauty filter' effect is disrespectful to intentional art direction and likely reflects biased training data.
- Lana warns datasets probably reflect corporate, white-centric beauty norms and can warp character representation.
Demand Clear Labels For AI Use In Games
- Push for industry transparency like labeling AI usage so consumers and devs know when generative tools were used.
- Kahlief suggests an ESRB-style disclosure to mark AI involvement in art, assets, or code.
Use Your Wallet To Push Back On AI
- If you're concerned about AI practices, vote with your wallet and demand transparency from developers and publishers.
- Lana urges consumers to act and use purchasing power to influence corporate behavior.