Akihiro Hino, CEO of Level-5the Japanese studio responsible for series such as Inazuma Eleven, Fantasy Life and Professor Layton, spoke on the topic of generative artificial intelligence in video gamesone of the most discussed topics of the year, especially in recent months.
In June Hino said the company would begin evaluating the use of AI “as a tool to improve communication and efficiency.” Now he has returned to the topic after the controversy arising from the disqualification of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at the Indie Game Awards and from some criticisms aimed directly at Level-5, including, in his opinion, the unfounded accusation that the team is developing games “80% through AI”.
If used correctly, AI can enrich the creative world, according to Hino
In a long message published on X, Hino says that many studios are integrating AI into their processes to improve efficiency. This does not mean that human labor can be replaced, but that development times could be significantly reduced.
“If it were truly possible to create 80-90% of the code with AI and still make games that way, that would be incredibly impressive, and a highly sought-after approach. We’re not at that level yet. That said, it’s also true that AI provides time savings that are impossible to ignore, and I think this has the potential to overturn conventional wisdom in game development. We could go from a world where making AAA takes 5-10 years to one where we can play them every two years.”
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Hino also pointed out that generative AI is often treated “as if it were synonymous with plagiarism“, a view he openly disputes.
“A knife can be used for cooking or as a weapon; a computer can create games or facilitate cybercrime. AI can produce plagiarized content if used badly, but if used correctly it has the power to further enrich the creative world.”
“I want to see and create games that go beyond today’s AAA standardsgames that feel like dreams come true. If we convey the idea that ‘using AI is wrong’, we risk seriously hindering the progress of modern digital technology. I hope that creators and audiences can recognize AI as a tool in the hands of people. I pray that with every technological innovation, the gaming industry will continue to grow.”
