- Over 85% of Japanese developers now use generative AI in game development, as per a survey.
- The figure has grown immensely from last year alone, which sat at only 51%.
- Over 60% of developers use generative AI every day in development, while 22% use it occasionally.
Generative AI capabilities have grown a lot over the last few years, so many gaming studios have been adopting it to optimize game development cycles and reduce resource consumption where possible. However, the technology is also drenched in controversy.
A new study shows that Japanese studios—such as Square Enix, Capcom, Konami, and Sega—appear to be among the fastest adopters of generative AI in the industry.
Why it matters: While generative AI has its benefits, many gamers and developers fear it could automate the creative and artistic parts of games over time. This would make many projects feel stale and devoid of crucial human input entirely.
As per a survey by Japan’s CESA, 85.8% of Japanese developers reportedly use generative AI in game development. This information comes via a preview of 2026’s CESA Video Game Industry Report from the Tokyo Games Show, reported by Denfaminicogamer.
63% of these developers use the technology on a daily basis, while the remaining 22.8% only utilize it occasionally.
Developers expect to see ‘improved operational efficiency and productivity’ by adopting generative AI. Additionally, they also expect ‘shorter development cycles’ and ‘reduced development and operational costs.’
The developers also assured that human verification, correction, and supervision are conducted while using the technology, such as specifying or limiting the use of certain tools and avoiding direct use of generated output.
This demonstrates that generative AI is being widely and steadily adopted in development environments.
-CESA Executive Director, Tsutomu Masuda.
This figure has grown concerningly fast in a single year; Japan’s Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association also concluded that only 51% of Japanese studios had adopted generative AI in 2025.
While the 2026 preview doesn’t reveal the number of participating studios, the 2025 report collected data from 54 different Japanese companies. Japanese developers mostly used generative AI to create visual assets and develop game engines last year.
Do you think generative AI adoption will negatively impact the quality of games from these Japanese developers later down the road, or will the tech just boost their efficiency? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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