AI in Game Development: The Debate Goes On

AI is back in the headlines this week after Sony dropped some interesting details in their latest corporate report. The announcement revealed how PlayStation is using AI and machine learning to streamline its development of games.

The report outlines how the company is ‘bolstering technologies that can help creators engage in maximising the value of their IP in efficient, high-quality ways, including sensing and capturing as well as real-time 3D processing, AI, and machine learning,’ It went on to reference Spider-Man 2 as an example, in which machine learning was used to ‘significantly shorten the subtitling process.’

This announcement means that the Japanese tech giant will join the likes of Ubisoft, Xbox, and EA in the growing roster of game companies that have openly embraced the adoption of AI technologies. The rationale for PlayStation’s decision also follows a similar sentiment to these, with things like quality assurance and improved production pipelines being cited as benefits.?

However, this move is seen as a slippery slope by many devs and organisations that have already voiced their concerns over employment and plagiarism implications. Following the wave of redundancies over the last year, several companies have come under fire for using AI to compensate for attrition after layoffs, and effectively making numerous positions permanently obsolete. A 2024 Wired investigation discovered how big players like Activision Blizzard were already utilising generative AI in the wake of announcing mass layoffs.

The use of AI as a cost-saving tactic has become an increasingly attractive prospect throughout the games industry and beyond; and while this makes financial sense for companies needing to maintain healthy profit margins, it leaves the future looking murky for thousands of employees throughout the industry.?

There are still those, like Nintendo, that are choosing to stay out of the AI race. Company veteran and long-standing Game Director, Shigeru Miyamoto, recently shared his desire to avoid the use of AI. The creator of Super Mario and Zelda stated that he wants their games to remain ‘special’ and while other companies are increasingly relying on AI, ‘Nintendo would rather go in a different direction.’

The iconic game maker recently saw success with the launch of Super Mario Odyssey and has stated its core focus remains on building unique gameplay experiences. Staying off the AI bandwagon may prove to be a smart move for Nintendo as the industry has been a litigatory minefield with numerous lawsuits and strikes being actioned over the last year.

Whether Nintendo alters its stance in the future remains to be seen but according to Unity’s 2024 Gaming Report, 62% of game studios already utilise AI so one thing’s for sure, the technology is here to stay. What’s also clear is that there are plenty of legal and moral kinks that need to be ironed out before the AI debate can come to any kind of resolution.

Let us know your thoughts on the use of AI, what the future looks like, and if you have personally been affected by the implementation of AI technology.