In a recent Q&A session with its investors, Bandai Namco has confirmed that it is making use of AI tools. When asked about the technology and how it can be used in game development, the company noted that it is only being used to enhance efficiency so that the creative teams can focus on their work.
Providing an example, Bandai Namco said that AI is used for tasks that require searching through historical data and libraries. The company has made no statement about whether generative AI is being used directly to generate assets for its video games.
“Regarding AI technology, we currently utilize it in the development of game titles primarily as a tool to enhance operational efficiency—for instance, through tasks such as searching historical data and libraries—thereby enabling our creators to focus their efforts on creative activities,” said the company (via machine translation).
“AI technology is evolving on a daily basis, and the landscape is changing moment by moment. Moving forward, we intend to continue our research—while also incorporating insights from outside our group—to carefully select the appropriate applications and contexts in which to utilize this technology in a suitable and effective manner.”
Opinions on making use of generative AI for game development have been quite mixed across the industry. While some, like ARC Raiders developer Embark Studios, have confirmed the use of these tools to help the teams generate assets, others have spoken out against it. One notable example of the latter has been Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick, who confirmed that generative AI is not being used for the creative aspects of Grand Theft Auto 6. Rather, AI-based tools are being investigated for uses where they can drive down costs and improve efficiency.
“On the topic of AI, I’ve been enthusiastic since the very beginning,” he said. “This company’s products have always been built with machine learning and artificial intelligence. We’ve actually always been a leader in the space, and right now we have hundreds of pilots and implementations across our company, including within our studios. And we’re already seeing instances where generative AI tools are driving costs and time efficiencies.”
“That said, do I think tools by themselves create great entertainment properties? No, there’s no evidence that that’s the case and it won’t be the case in the future,” he continued. “Specifically with regards to GTA 6, generative AI has zero part in what Rockstar Games is building. Their worlds are handcrafted. That’s what differentiates them. They’re built from the ground up, building by building, street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood. They’re not procedurally generated, they shouldn’t be. That’s what makes great entertainment.”
Similarly, Bethesda Game Studios boss Todd Howard has said that generative AI isn’t being used at the company since the “element of artistic intention” is “essential” for its massive RPGs.
“For us, we’re being incredibly cautious,” said Howard. “[We’re] kind of viewing [it] as a tool, like an analyst, to look at the data in our games. We’re not using it to generate anything. I think there’s an element of artistic intention that is essential to what we do and what others do.”
