Neowiz Defends AI Hiring Amid Fan Backlash Over Lies of P Sequel Development
Breaking: Neowiz Hires 'AI Creator' for Future Games, But Not for Lies of P Sequel
South Korean developer Neowiz has confirmed that a new 'AI Creator' role will not work on the highly anticipated Lies of P sequel, despite fan backlash over the studio's embrace of generative AI.
The job listing, originally spotted by Captain Dandyfloss on Bluesky, sparked outrage among fans who feared AI would replace human artists in the sequel's development.
Studio Statement
In an exclusive statement to PC Gamer, Neowiz clarified that the AI Creator will be part of an independent Art R&D team at ROUND8, the studio behind Lies of P.
"The job posting in question is not a role that will be directly involved in the production of the Lies of P sequel," a Neowiz spokesperson said. "GenAI tools are only used in preliminary stage work to improve efficiency of repetitive, foundational tasks."
"AI-generated visuals function strictly as internal reference material during pre-production," the spokesperson added. "All final assets for the upcoming game will be created by experienced artists."
Job Responsibilities
According to the translated job listing, the 'AI Creator' will handle tasks including:
- Creating character and background concept drafts using Stable Diffusion and Midjourney
- AI-based texturing and modeling assistance using image-to-3D technology
- Building an efficient AI art pipeline to reduce production time
- Training unique AI models and libraries optimized for the project's art style
- Post-processing AI outputs to game-ready quality
Neowiz emphasized that these tools are used only for preliminary reference, not final assets.
Background
Lies of P, a Pinocchio-inspired soulslike, released in 2023 to critical acclaim. Its sequel was announced soon after and is now in "full production," according to Neowiz's latest earnings report.
However, the studio's open embrace of generative AI has divided fans. While some studios completely avoid AI, Neowiz views it as a way to "maximize efficiency and innovate visual quality."
ROUND8, the internal studio behind the original game, remains focused on the sequel. The AI Creator will work on other future projects.
What This Means
For fans worried about AI replacing artists, Neowiz's stance offers limited reassurance. The AI role is clearly defined as supportive and not part of the sequel's core team.
Yet the gaming industry faces a broader debate: Can AI be used ethically without undermining human creativity? Neowiz insists its approach respects artists while streamlining pre-production.
The Lies of P sequel remains a top priority, but the AI hiring signals Neowiz's long-term strategy to integrate AI into its pipeline—a move that will likely continue to spark conversation.
This is a developing story. More details on the Lies of P sequel are expected in the coming months.