In July 2025, developer Eero Laine released Hardest on Steam, a game described as rogue-like rock-paper-scissors with cards. Like many other games on the platforms, Hardest also featured the AI-generated content disclosure, with Steam notifying gamers of the existence of AI assets in the title.
Several months after the project’s release, developer Eero Laine has returned with a surprising update. The developer states that he is now deleting the game.
In an update posted on Steam, Eero Laine highlighted that Hardest came about as a university project that used a lot of AI assets. Although he did not go into too many details regarding the use of AI, Eero Laine stated that he no longer likes how his project was handled.
The developer appears to have changed his thoughts regarding AI, emphasizing that the technology has a major effect on both the economy and the environment. He also noted that Hardest, being one example of a Steam title with heavy AI-generated content, could give other studios a reason to follow suit and make extensive use of the technology.
Eero Laine says that he realized all of this thanks to his current girlfriend. The developer is now set to delete Hardest from Steam on January 30.
“I have realized AI is not actually free, and it has a major impact on the economy and environment. The game existing in its current form is a disgrace to all game makers and players.” -Eero Laine
According to the update posted on Steam, the developer still has the code for Hardest, so the game could return with non-AI assets in the future. However, for now, the game’s fate seems set in stone, and it will disappear forever in just a few more days.
