S&box Launches to Mixed Reviews: Garry Newman’s Take on AI-generated Content

Today marks the launch of S&box, the much-anticipated sequel to Garry’s Mod, designed to be an open-source playground that aims to appeal to a broader audience, reminiscent of Roblox but with a twist. Despite its promising concept, the game has hit a snag right out of the gate—2026 is the year for AI-generated content, and it’s making waves across reviews.

Currently, the reception on Steam is a mixed bag, with many users expressing their frustration over the abundance of AI-generated “slop.” When I checked out the platform, I noticed that several games featured on the main page seemed hastily put together, likely using AI tools, which is reflected in their lackluster ratings. One standout title that caught my attention, for better or worse, was “Terry’s Granny (Now with Co-op!).”

While there are some positive reviews scattered here and there, a peek at the negativity reveals common themes. One reviewer stated, “At release, there is like 90% AI generated slop which is silently accepted by Facepunch,” while another lamented, “You will get more fun on Transformice than this game full of ‘AI slop’.” Many players are clearly frustrated with the perceived low effort and quality of what’s being offered.

Facepunch, the studio behind S&box, is aware of these concerns. Their founder, Garry Newman, has openly admitted that the game isn’t perfect and they are committed to rolling out weekly updates based on player feedback. He noted, “Low quality, obvious AI-created slop is going to be a growing problem in every creative outlet,” and stressed that while AI can be a useful learning tool, it shouldn’t replace genuine creativity.

In a recent chat with a gaming outlet, Newman mentioned that moderation systems will take time to develop, as they want the community to play around and flag issues. As the game evolves, they aim to implement methods—be it AI or manual review—to ensure quality content rises to the top.

Newman’s stance on AI is nuanced. He acknowledges its benefits, particularly in programming, while also recognizing the artists’ concerns surrounding AI’s impact on creative jobs. “I think you need to use your imagination sometimes,” he explained, drawing a parallel to the need for balance in creative pursuits. He believes that over-reliance on AI could hinder critical thinking.

As for Facepunch’s approach to AI, Newman emphasized that while they utilize it for early-stage development, they understand its contentious nature among artists. He likened AI’s role in their creative process to using Google Images, primarily for inspiration rather than as a final product generator.

Reflecting on the development of S&box, Newman compared it to Garry’s Mod, suggesting that just like its predecessor, S&box will evolve as they receive feedback and identify areas for improvement. So, if you’re curious about this new venture, S&box is now available on Steam, and it’ll be interesting to see how it develops over time.