The emergence of artificial intelligence has become a focal point in 2026, shaping discussions across various fields, especially gaming. From the controversy surrounding the DLSS 5 saga to the use of generative AI art assets in Pearl Abyss’s upcoming title Crimson Desert, AI has become an unavoidable subject. Recently, Erik Wolpaw, a well-known writer at Valve, has joined the conversation.
As a co-writer of Half-Life 2 and Portal, Wolpaw participated in an episode of the MinnMax Show on March 19 (thanks to GamesRadar) where he discussed the use of AI tools in gaming and Valve’s current position on them. Although Wolpaw left Valve in 2017 to co-write the story for Psychonauts 2, he returned as a contractor to work on the VR-exclusive Half-Life: Alyx.
He shared that a “small group of people” at Valve has been exploring AI technologies, explaining that the experience has been educational. He reassured listeners that he does not fear AI taking over the realm of creative writing anytime soon. According to Wolpaw, artificial intelligence struggles to create and convey the rich storytelling that resonates with audiences: “I’m not just saying that defensively. We’ve really been experimenting with it, and like art, there are many questions, but I don’t think it will—anytime soon—write novels that surpass human creativity.”
However, he expressed some interest in how AI could help develop more nuanced writing for characters that respond to players’ actions. This brings to mind previous discussions about generative AI NPCs, which have yet to make a significant impact. Wolpaw stated, “If you involve enough artists in a game, they can create the required art or handle almost any discipline. The unique challenge with game writing is that we must simulate characters reacting to your actions in real-time.”
While he believes there are aspects worth exploring, Wolpaw was quick to clarify that Valve is not currently integrating AI-generated content into any of its games: “This is just a small group sitting around, thinking, ‘This is an intriguing technology—wouldn’t it be foolish for us not to investigate it?'” This position mirrors that of Capcom; however, the latter has officially announced its intent to utilize AI to enhance productivity.
Valve’s approach to creativity and development has always been relatively “relaxed,” with a culture that nurtures a plethora of ideas, often allowing some to fade away during the lengthy prototyping process. Whether this exploration of AI will yield significant results remains to be seen, especially given the current challenges surrounding AI technologies, as evidenced by reports indicating a downturn for “AI slop.”
