Yoko Taro Fears AI Will Jobless Game Creators, Reducing Them to 'Bards'

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video games has become a hot topic of discussion recently, with notable figures like NieR series director Yoko Taro expressing apprehension about its impact on game creators' jobs. In a recent interview at Famitsu, as translated by Automaton, several renowned Japanese game developers known for their narrative and storytelling prowess shared their insights on game creation. This group included Yoko Taro, Kotaro Uchikoshi (known for Zero Escape and AI: The Somnium Files), Kazutaka Kodaka (Danganronpa), and Jiro Ishii (428: Shibuya Scramble).

When asked about the future of adventure games, both Yoko Taro and Kotaro Uchikoshi touched on the subject of AI. Uchikoshi voiced concerns about the rapid evolution of AI technology, suggesting that AI-generated adventure games might become mainstream. He acknowledged that while current AI struggles to match the outstanding writing and creativity of humans, maintaining a "human touch" in game development would be crucial to staying ahead of technological advancements.

Yoko Taro echoed these concerns, expressing fears that game creators might lose their jobs to AI. He suggested that in 50 years, game creators could be treated similarly to bards, hinting at a potential shift in the role and value of human game designers.

The discussion also delved into whether AI could replicate the intricate worlds and narratives of their works, including the unexpected twists and turns. Yoko Taro and Jiro Ishii agreed that AI could potentially imitate their creations, while Kazutaka Kodaka argued that AI might mimic their styles but couldn't embody the essence of a creator. Kodaka likened this to how others might write in David Lynch's style, but Lynch himself could pivot and still produce authentic work.

Yoko Taro proposed using AI to generate new scenarios, such as alternate routes in adventure games. However, Kodaka highlighted a potential downside: personalized AI-generated content could make games less of a shared experience among players.

The conversation around AI in gaming extends beyond this group, with other notable creators and companies like Capcom, Activision, Microsoft, and PlayStation also contributing their perspectives. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa recently emphasized the creative potential of generative AI but also pointed out the challenges related to intellectual property rights.

As AI continues to evolve, its role in game development remains a subject of both excitement and concern, with many in the industry pondering how to balance technological innovation with the irreplaceable human touch in storytelling and game design.