- According to a Google executive, 9 out of 10 studios are using AI but not disclosing it.
- Most companies, including Capcom, are using Google’s own generative AI tools such as Gemini.
- Some of the biggest games in the market right now have also utilised AI.
In the modern gaming industry, it’s become commonplace to ask every studio whether AI is being utilised during development. Even though many upcoming AAA titles, including Phantom Blade Zero, are staying away from generative AI, several developers are doubling down on the technology.
For example, Ubisoft is now asking for experience with generative AI in every job listing, and Arc Raiders boss Patrick Soderlund is completely reshaping development at Nexon by utilising the technology. As it turns out, most companies in the industry are currently using AI, but they are just keeping it a secret.
Why it matters: If developers start revealing that some of the best titles from this year used AI, the fallout may be something we have never seen before.
In an interview with Mobilegamer.biz, Google Cloud’s global director for games, Jack Buser, stated that at least nine out of ten developers in the industry are using AI-powered tools but not disclosing it as they fear the criticism.
I think what players don’t realise is that their favourite games right now were already built with AI. We did a survey around Gamescom last summer. Roughly nine out of 10 game developers told us ‘Yeah, we’re using it.’ That gap (in other surveys) is basically the developers’ willingness to tell you whether it’s being used.
Buser revealed that many studios have used Google’s own generative AI tools, like Gemini, to increase development speed while making the most popular titles on the market right now. Furthermore, he insisted that this is a positive, as the technology is helping games release faster and letting developers take more risks due to reduced costs.
The Google executive also disclosed that Capcom has been using Gemini and Nano Banana to remove low-value tasks while making content for its games. According to Buser, the company uses generative AI to produce countless ideas on small-scale assets, for example, pebbles and grass.
The art director then asks Gemini to curate these ideas and goes on to select the assets he finds the most interesting, which are then created by the art team. Hence, instead of using human labour to produce ideas about smaller items like pebbles, Capcom uses AI so developers can focus on high-value tasks like enemies and protagonists.
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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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