In the ever-evolving world of video game development, Capcom is exploring the use of generative AI to generate the "hundreds of thousands" of ideas required for in-game environments. As the costs associated with game development continue to soar, major publishers are turning to AI tools to streamline processes and reduce expenses. For instance, Call of Duty reportedly offered an "AI-generated cosmetic" for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in late 2023, sparking debates among fans when Activision was accused of using generative AI for a loading screen the previous year. Meanwhile, EA has boldly stated that AI is at "the very core" of its business strategy.

In a revealing interview with Google Cloud Japan, Kazuki Abe, a technical director at Capcom renowned for his work on blockbuster titles such as Monster Hunter: World and Exoprimal, shed light on how the company is integrating AI into its game development pipeline. Abe highlighted that one of the most demanding aspects of game development is the creation of hundreds of thousands of unique ideas. He pointed out that even items like televisions need distinct designs, logos, and shapes, resulting in a vast number of proposals needed for each game. "Including unused ones, we ended up having to come up with hundreds of thousands of ideas," Abe noted (via Automaton).

To address this challenge and boost efficiency, Abe developed a system that leverages generative AI to read game design documents and produce ideas. This not only accelerates development but also allows the AI to provide feedback and refine its output continuously. His prototype utilizes various AI models, including Google Gemini Pro, Gemini Flash, and Imagen, and has garnered positive feedback from Capcom's internal development teams. Implementing this AI model is projected to "reduce costs significantly" while simultaneously enhancing the quality of the output.

Currently, Capcom's foray into AI is confined to this specific system. Other critical facets of game development, such as ideation, gameplay mechanics, programming, and character design, remain under the stewardship of human creatives, ensuring a balance between technological advancement and the human touch in game creation.