Amazon pressured one of its teams to develop an AI game: Project Trident

9 hours ago

Amazon Game Studios laid off many employees in 2025, including teams working on games like New World and Project Trident.
Project Trident was an AI-focused game that shifted from a Shadow of the Colossus-inspired co-op game to a Helldivers-style game with generative AI for NPC interactions.
An AI mandate from Amazon pressured teams to incorporate generative AI, but Project Trident was canceled despite internal promise and adherence to this directive.
The game used LLMs for player-NPC communication, enabling commands for combat, puzzle-solving, and dialogue-based recruitment of enemies.
Development faced tight deadlines and pivots, with the team ultimately laid off as part of Amazon-wide cuts affecting 14,000 employees.
Sources expressed frustration over the AI push, citing a lack of expert input and ethical considerations, with layoffs removing AI implementation experts.
Amazon stated layoffs were due to strategic shifts, not AI, and emphasized using AI thoughtfully under team creativity.
Amazon's Lord of the Rings MMO was also reportedly canceled, though the company claims to be exploring new experiences with the IP.

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