A Classic Game Series Announces (and Cancels) a Sequel In Record Time

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The gaming world changes quickly, and these days, even a bad trailer can significantly impact a game’s development. Games can easily gain or lose attention, especially if players disagree with the creators’ choices. However, the past week for the Postal series has been particularly eventful.

The latest installment in the Postal shooter series, Postal: Bullet Paradise, was announced with Running With Scissors publishing and Goonswarm developing. Surprisingly, the game was quickly removed from sale and the development studio closed down. This sudden turn of events is especially notable considering the initial excitement from fans and could be a cautionary tale for other game companies.

Postal Had A New Spin-Off Announced And Canceled Within A Week Because Of AI-Generated Artwork

Okay, so I’ve been following the Postal series for a while now, and it’s always been…intense. Running with Scissors really pushed the boundaries with violence and dark humor, way more than most games. But things recently got crazy enough that they actually shut down development on a new game! There have been four main Postal games so far, plus a bunch of expansions, spin-offs, and even remakes – they’re working on a second remake right now, actually. But get this: they announced Postal: Bullet Paradise on December 3rd, and it sounds like that project is already cancelled. It’s wild!

Postal: Bullet Paradise was intended to be a cooperative, fast-paced shooter set across different worlds from the Postal series, and initially, fans were enthusiastic. However, concerns quickly arose when players noticed what appeared to be AI-generated art used in the game’s promotional materials. This led to a significant backlash for the developers, Goonswarm Games, especially as they and Running With Scissors (the original Postal creators) both denied the accusations – and some Running With Scissors developers responded with hostile online behavior.

Both companies initially tried to deny using AI, but later admitted some AI-generated content was included in the game. The public reacted very negatively, leading Running With Scissors to cancel the project entirely. They also ended their partnership with Goonswarm, stating they no longer trusted the development team. As a consequence of the situation, Goonswarm has also shut down.

Postal: Bullet Paradise’s Collapse Is A Lesson For The Gaming Industry

The use of AI to create content in video games has sparked a lot of debate, particularly after comments from Epic Games’ Tim Sweeney in support of the practice. Running With Scissors publicly criticized Sweeney, but then faced embarrassment when one of their own developers did something similar. This issue is now a major concern for both game developers and players, as it poses a threat to creative professionals in an already challenging industry.

Even popular games like Fortnite have faced criticism for potentially using AI-created artwork. However, the Postal games are drawing even more attention because their developer has consistently championed gaming as a uniquely human art form. The Postal series has often been at the center of debates about violence in games, and its intentionally shocking stories and design choices are meant to express genuine, though sometimes crude, artistic intentions.

In a recent online apology, the company admitted the controversy surrounding Bullet Paradise has harmed their reputation – a significant blow for a small publisher in a tough market. The situation also highlights how negatively the gaming community views AI-generated art. The entire development team at Goonworks was disbanded as a result. Even large companies like EA are wary of using AI-created content. While it’s unfortunate that everyone at Goonworks is now looking for new jobs, this serves as a clear warning to other publishers about the risks of using AI-generated artwork.

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2025-12-09 00:40