With the use of AI becoming more prevalent each day, Nintendo has unveiled its stance on the use of Generative AI in making games.
Here’s a small excerpt of the transcript of the recent shareholders meeting Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa had attended and his thoughts on Generative AI.
“In the game industry, AI-like technologies have long been used — for example, to control the movements of opponent characters — so I believe that game development and AI technology have always had a close relationship. Generative AI, which is becoming a big topic recently, can be used in creative ways, but we recognize that it may also raise issues with intellectual property rights.”
“We have decades of know-how in creating the best gaming experiences for our players. While we are open to utilizing technological developments, we will work to continue delivering value that is unique to Nintendo and cannot be created by technology alone.” – Shuntaro Furukawa
With recent years, the use of AI has increased significantly and is still steadily increasing as we speak. Some have lost jobs due to it, such is the case with NFT’s and artists. President Furukawa understands that game development and the use of Generative AI go hand-in-hand yet what it cannot replicate is a human’s touch.
Generative AI has become a prominent topic in the gaming industry. While the technology raises legal and ethical concerns, such as potential copyright issues and job losses, several major companies believe it could streamline production processes and enhance game environments. Using AI also has a benefit for huge companies as it can help cutting the cost of hiring someone. Additionally, it’s a lot faster and generates results faster than a human can.
Nintendo remains open to incorporating it, showing the company’s flexibility towards new technologies. However, the company is not dependent on these technologies for game development.