Return of the Obra Dinn Dev Lucas Pope Hesitant to Discuss New Projects Because It Could 'Get Slurped Up by AI' - IGN
NOBODY TALKING: Game developers are going silent. Lucas Pope won't even discuss his next project because AI is 'slurping up' creative work.
Why it matters
As AI training data scraping becomes normalized, creative professionals are changing how they communicate about work-in-progress projects. This signals a broader shift in how IP protection strategies will need to evolve in an AI-native economy.
The key facts
9 to knowDeveloper Lucas Pope (Papers Please, Return of the Obra Dinn) refusing to discuss new projects publicly
Stated reason: AI training data acquisition and copycat competition
Reflects broader developer anxiety about AI scraping creative work
Implies potential shift in how IP disclosure strategies will work in AI economy
Lucas Pope (Papers, Please, Return of the Obra Dinn creator) refuses to discuss new projects publicly
Cited concern: AI training ('slurped up by AI') and competitive copying
Represents shift in creator behavior and disclosure norms due to AI concerns
Quote: 'the situation just feels different'
Published April 6, 2026
Go to the source
Reuters Technologynews.google.com
Publisher excerpt: Return of the Obra Dinn Dev Lucas Pope Hesitant to Discuss New Projects Because It Could 'Get Slurped Up by AI' IGN Papers, Please creator Lucas Pope says he no longer reveals what he’s working on in case it’s stolen or ‘slurped up by AI’ Video Games Chronicle After making 2 of the best indie games…
