AI Dungeon Controversy: What Is Happening and Why?

Video games are a widespread source of entertainment among young and adults of different ages. Unlike in the past, we have many advanced and story-based games that will compel you to stick to your gaming device. 

AI Dungeon is the best example of a fantasy simulation game that works on AI models. This game is text-based with unlimited possibilities of outputs that depend on the creativity and explicitness of your prompts. 

The extensive fame of AI Dungeon is due to its gameplay. It gives you the driver’s seat in an adventure story you can imagine. Thus, AI will resurrect your fantasy and enable you to become the lead character of that story. 

However, AI Dungeon fell into a controversy that cost its owning company, Latitude Inc., a massive loss. We will take you through every detail of the AI Dungeon Controversy. This way, you will have answers to questions like what happened in the controversy, why did that happen, etc. 

Also read: The Relationship Between AR, VR, and the Metaverse

AI Dungeon Controversy – Overview

AI Dungeon is an impressive game that gives you a free hand to create any scenario that you want. You can make a gameplay that reflects the gameplay of a famous game, Elden Ring.  There are other games like Elden Ring, but AI Dungeon has the potential to make a scenario like it. 

Back in April 2021, the developing company of AI Dungeon, Latitude Inc., released an update. It was about a system limiting explicit sexual content within the game. This system was designed especially for minors. 

The update may seem essential and right at the moment, but it became a controversy among its users due to certain reasons. The AI Dungeon gamers headed over to the AI Dungeon community on various social media platforms, including Reddit, Discord, etc. They trolled and mocked the developing team for this update since they had faced many problems within the game due to that update. 

We will discuss the reasons behind the AI Dungeon controversy later in this article. First, let’s talk about the purpose and working of the content censoring update of Latitude Inc. 

1. Ban On Sexual Content

AI Dungeon works on prompts to generate a story that resonates with your fantasy. Since it is a freestyle game, users may ask the game to create any kind of story they want. Thus, it may lead to sexual content. Explicit sexual content is against the content policy of AI Dungeon. They released an update to block the content or even users with such intention for the content. 

2. Privacy Improvements

Blocking such content, especially minor, was meant to improve the privacy of AI Dungeon. Official statements from Latitude suggested that they want a balanced and real-time gaming environment where kids and adults can play without concern. 

3. Content Policy Statement

Lastly, the purpose of this newly released update was to provide the users with a defined set of rules about the content they can create within the game. Latitude Inc. planned to release a document with a content policy to prevent generating inappropriate content within the game. However, they failed to do so due to the update becoming a controversy. 

Reasons for AI Dungeon Controversy

The system intended to control inappropriate content on the platform became a controversy for the game, leading people to avoid the game. Let’s look at some of the factors that led to the creation of the AI Dungeon Controversy. 

1. Latitude’s Lack of Communication

The game-owning company, Latitude Inc., did not consider it important to have prior notice to their users about the update coming their way. Plus, it was an experimental update, so it may have some bugs too. Therefore, Latitude must have had a few words with its users beforehand. 

2. Unintended Implication

The system was a test developed to stop the platform from generating specific types of content. Due to its naive nature, it had problems finishing the job correctly. Therefore, it resulted in many issues during the game. Many users have shared proof of their stories being disrupted by the moderation system with false positives. It stopped many users from completing their stories without generating unlawful content. 

3. Rage Amongst Gamers

Since AI Dungeon can generate NSFW material, its ban on sexual content led to anger among users. NSFW materials include sex, ferocity, as well as vows. This content was normal for Latitude, but it released the update that acted inversely. Therefore, it made many gamers post furious content on various AI Dungeon social communities. 

Hence, Latitude rolled back the update and apologised publicly to their users. However, it is still a controversy that flows among gamers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Latitude Read Unpublished Adventures in AI Dungeon?

It is among the repetitive questions that Latitude Inc. receives most often. Therefore, they have released an official answer to this question. As per their answer, Latitude has an automated system installed in AI Dungeon that goes through the entire content of every gamer. 

The system is meant to check whether the adventures and stories are in conformity with their privacy and content policy. If the system finds inappropriate content, it flags it to the game developing team. Then, they handle the content accordingly. 

Can I Play AI Dungeon for Free on My PC?

AI Dungeon is an amazing simulation game for gamers who like adventure. Latitude Inc. has enabled users to download and play this game on smartphones, PC, and online. The best thing is that AI Dungeon is free on all platforms. 

Initially, it was available for download on the Android and iOS platforms. Later, Latitude Inc. released its free version for PC on the Steam platform. Steam is the best place for gamers, where you can find almost every game in its original version. 

Why Should I Play AI Dungeon?

AI Dungeon is a role-playing game where the gamer is in the leading role. While playing AI Dungeon is fun and meaningful, it never compromises your privacy and security. Therefore, it makes sense to play this game. 

Other game features include unlocking your creativity since you have to input prompts that need to be clever and explicit, leading to improved communication skills. Additionally, it has many game modes, like Solo, Multiplayer, Voyage, and many more. This way, you have an infinite canvas to draw what comes to your mind.