Konami Digital Entertainment president Hideki Hayakawa has expressed a view that generative AI will not significantly alter the game development landscape, asserting that human creators and their collaborative synergy are paramount to producing compelling video games. In a statement within the company's latest integrated report, as noted by Dengeki Online and translated by Automaton, Hayakawa posited that the barriers to entry in game development have already been lowered by advancements in game engines and user-generated content.
Hayakawa stated, "Even if AI use does lead to improvements in production efficiency, I believe that the most important factors in producing entertaining and innovative video games are people and creators." He elaborated that the unique "chemical reaction" stemming from developers with diverse backgrounds working together is "not something that can be easily replaced." This perspective stands in contrast to a prevailing industry sentiment that generative AI will streamline development processes.
While acknowledging AI's potential for efficiency gains, Hayakawa also indicated Konami's commitment to supporting developers in exploring new technologies. "Even when it comes to epoch-making technological innovations, Konami provides systematic support so that creators can get a grasp of new technologies, properly assess the risks they may bring, and safely apply them to game development," he explained. This suggests that while Konami is not outright dismissing AI, its primary focus remains on the human element of game creation.