Fuck it, make it anyway

Your personal satisfaction from crafting software or games can be preserved, even if it means doing things the harder way.

Software developer and indie game studio owner Joel Auterson describes a personal crisis triggered by the rise of generative AI in creative fields. He notes that while AI art is currently perceived as low quality, AI's impact on programming and game development feels more significant and disruptive. Auterson expresses that using AI code assistants diminishes his personal enjoyment, sense of ownership, and pride in his work, as tools he once spent time crafting can now be generated by prompts. This realization intensified after a conversation with fellow developer Shad, whose project, Uncamera, was built entirely without generative AI. Auterson contrasts his own tendency to withdraw with Shad's continued work despite similar anxieties, leading him to conclude there are three paths: adopt AI and lose enjoyment, stop creating, or continue making things the hard way because he enjoys the process and learning, regardless of external validation.

The increasing capability of generative AI in programming presents a stark choice for developers: adopt these tools and potentially lose personal fulfillment, or resist and risk falling behind. Auterson's experience highlights a growing sentiment that AI-driven development, while efficient, may fundamentally alter the intrinsic motivations and pride associated with coding and creative making. This tension could lead to a bifurcation in the industry, with some embracing AI for productivity and others seeking to preserve traditional craftsmanship.

For those in creative and development fields, the core question is how to reconcile the desire for efficient output with the need for personal engagement and pride in one's work. Auterson's narrative suggests that the "hard way" is not just about technical difficulty but about maintaining a connection to the creation process itself. This perspective could influence how individuals and smaller studios choose to develop projects, prioritizing personal satisfaction and learning over speed or perceived industry trends, potentially leading to niche markets that value human-crafted authenticity.