Published May 14, 2026, 1:18 PM EDT Color me shocked Steam game devs apologize after $75k AI contest sparks review bombing onslaught Image: Recreate Games/Source Technology Party Animals is a casual party brawler where you, as an adorable animal, beat up other adorable animals in chaotic and funny combat. It was released in late 2023 for Windows PC and Xbox Series X (and later ended up on PlayStation 5 in 2025) and became a hit with players, having over 17,000 lifetime "Very Positive" player reviews on Steam . Its recent reception, however, hasn't been so positive, and it's not surprising why. On Wednesday, developer Recreate Games announced a video contest with $75,000 in prizes. But it didn't want just any videos — entries "must be primarily created using AI tools," the official contest rules stated. "A short film you've been dreaming of making, a story that breaks all the rules, a character tribute to your favorite beast... In the past, ideas like these could only exist in your head.…