Sega Reveals Crazy Taxi World Tour and Immediately Sparks Backlash Over Generative AI
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Sega announced Crazy Taxi World Tour for a 2027 release, but player excitement quickly soured after the studio confirmed it used generative AI during development.
Sega delivered a massive wave of nostalgia during the latest Xbox showcase by finally pulling back the curtain on Crazy Taxi World Tour. Slated for a 2027 release across current consoles and PC, the upcoming reboot brings back original driver Alex alongside new rivals, a sun-drenched San Francisco inspired map, and fun side activities like fishing mini games and frantic pizza delivery runs. For fans who have waited years for a true return of the arcade classic, the initial reveal footage hit all the right notes.
That excitement took a sharp turn shortly after the broadcast ended. As reported by Eurogamer, eagle eyed players checking the game page on Steam noticed a disclosure from Sega confirming that the studio utilized generative AI as a development support tool. While the company stated that the technology was meant to free up human creators for core artistic tasks and did not involve digital likenesses of real performers, the admission instantly cast a shadow over the project.
The timing highlights a growing fracture in the gaming community. While publishers increasingly look to generative tech to streamline production pipelines and manage ballooning budgets, players continue to push back hard. Concerns over ethical training data, environmental costs, and the dilution of genuine artistic expression mean that any studio touching generative tools is walking into an immediate PR minefield. Sega is betting that the final product will win people over, but the community reaction proves that transparency around tech integration remains a high risk gamble.
Tags: Sega, Crazy Taxi, Generative AI, Industry News, PC and Console
Original article: Eurogamer