NieR Director warns: "In 50 years, game creators will be treated like bards" due to AI

The accelerated advance of artificial intelligence (AI) in game development has sparked discussions among major figures in the Japanese industry. During an interview published by Famitsu and translated by Automaton, renowned creators such as Yoko Taro (NieR), Kotaro Uchikoshi (Zero Escape, AI: The Somnium Files), Kazutaka Kodaka (Danganronpa), and Jiro Ishii (428: Shibuya Scramble) reflected on the future impact of technology on game creation, especially narrative-driven ones.

Yoko Taro expressed direct concern:

"I also believe that game creators may lose their jobs because of AI. There is a possibility that, in 50 years, creators will be treated like bards."

Kotaro Uchikoshi shared his fear that AI-generated adventure games may become popular, although he emphasizes that the technology has not yet reached the quality of human writing.

"There are many new games I want to create, but I fear that AI-generated adventure games will become the norm. Exceptional writing is still something AI has not achieved, and maintaining the 'human touch' will be essential."

When debating whether AI could replicate the complex worlds and narratives of their works, Yoko Taro and Jiro Ishii agreed that this would be possible to some extent. Kazutaka Kodaka, however, argued that despite AI being able to mimic styles, it could not act as a genuine creator, citing David Lynch as an example of mutable artistic authenticity.

The discussion also addressed the customization of AI-generated games. According to Kodaka, the possibility of each player having a unique experience could compromise the sense of collective experience that games offer today.

In recent months, several companies have been exploring the use of AI in the gaming sector. Capcom and Activision are already conducting experiments, while Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa recently stated that AI can be used creatively, but raises concerns about copyright. Microsoft and PlayStation have also weighed in on the matter, reflecting the growing relevance of this technology in the future of the industry.