Machinarium Dev Has a Message for AI Slop Creators: “Love Letters Are Supposed
Sometimes, the best way to show your appreciation for a video game is to create something inspired by it. Whether it's fan art or even an elaborate cosplay, there are plenty of ways to pay tribute to a game that means a…
Sometimes, the best way to show your appreciation for a video game is to create something inspired by it. Whether it's fan art or even an elaborate cosplay, there are plenty of ways to pay tribute to a game that means a lot to you.
However, one recent attempt to celebrate Machinarium didn't quite get the response its creator might have expected, prompting the game's developer to make its feelings clear – and even comment on a topic that's been quite hot over the past few years: the use of artificial intelligence.
Machinarium Dev Says Love Letters Should Be Handwritten
Amanita Design, the Czech studio behind Machinarium and other indie titles like Pilgrims, Creaks, and Phonopolis, recently called out an AI-generated project made using assets from the game after the creator described it as a “love letter.”
The situation unfolded on X (formerly Twitter), where its official account reposted a post featuring an animation made entirely with AI using assets from Machinarium. The creator had presented the work as a tribute to the game, but the studio clearly didn't share that interpretation.
"The audacity to feed Machinarium assets to AI, make AI slop animations, and call it a love letter… Love letters are supposed to be handwritten. This looks disgusting and has nothing to do with us or our craft," the studio wrote. Shortly afterward, the AI-generated content was deleted.
The studio's response quickly gained traction on social media, with fans showing their support for the developer's stance. It attracted around 5,000 likes and 105,000 views, giving the discussion considerable visibility and showing how strongly players can feel about the creative work behind a game they love. And for anyone familiar with Amanita Design's work, the response probably won't come as much of a surprise.
The Czech studio has built a recognizable identity around its distinctive artistic direction, with games and even board games that put their visual design front and center. Machinarium, in particular, is known for its hand-drawn world and expressive mechanical characters, making its art an important part of the experience – and one of the reasons the game is so stunningly beautiful!
Amanita Design, the Czech studio behind Machinarium and other indie titles like Pilgrims, Creaks, and Phonopolis, recently called out an AI-generated project made using assets from the game after the creator described it as a “love letter.”
But the story didn't end with the studio's initial response. In a follow-up post, Amanita Design used the moment to celebrate the community's creativity rather than letting the discussion end with the controversy.
"We didn't expect so much support! The studio deleted the AI ad," the developer wrote, before turning the spotlight toward fans who had shared their own creations. "Now, we're handing the spotlight to you by sharing some fan creations you've sent us. Fan art is the highest compliment, and we cherish every piece!"
This is certainly a classy way to show that the studio values human talent and, more importantly, the passion of its fans. By encouraging people to share their fan-made work, Amanita Design highlighted the personal effort players put into creating something inspired by its games. It's definitely a fitting response from a developer whose games are so closely associated with their visual identity.
Meanwhile, Amanita Design is hard at work on Machinarium 2, a sequel to the beloved 2009 game. It doesn't have a release date yet, but you can already find it on Steam to keep an eye on its development.
Machinarium Puzzle Indie Games Adventure Systems Released October 16, 2009