Balancing AI and Human Jobs in the Future of Game Development: A Necessary but Cautionary Approach
The gaming industry has been facing numerous challenges in recent years, with the excessive time and resources required for large-scale game development becoming increasingly unsustainable. In an interview with Yahoo Japan, the director of the Super Smash Bros. franchise, Masahiro Sakurai, expressed his concerns about the current state of the industry and suggested that the only solution to make larger projects sustainable is to utilize AI to improve work efficiency.
The use of AI in game development has been a topic of much discussion in recent times. The increasing number of game industry layoffs, canceled games, and delays to ensure that games are bug-free has led to disappointment in the industry from both customers and workers. The increasing price of video games has also contributed to this dissatisfaction.
Toei Animation has confirmed that it will start using AI, which is another example of the growing trend in the industry. However, there are concerns about AI being used to simply replace workers, leading to job losses for game developers, voice actors, and even players who are already frustrated by the use of AI in some games.
Sakurai's words echo other game development concerns about the cost and time-consuming nature of developing major games, especially new IPs. Concord was in development for nearly a decade before being shut down in less than a month, and Call of Duty games have had budgets reaching as high as $700 million in recent times. Using AI might help shorten the development time and potentially cut costs, or it could allow for better quality control as developers have more time to work on ironing out the bugs.
However, it is important to note that AI should be used to supplement the existing workflow rather than replace it entirely. The use of AI can help improve work efficiency and make larger projects sustainable, but it should not come at the expense of human jobs. The game industry needs to find a balance between utilizing AI and maintaining a healthy work environment for its employees.
In conclusion, while the use of AI in game development may be necessary to address some of the current issues in the industry, it is important to approach it with caution and ensure that it does not lead to job losses or other negative consequences for those who work in the industry. The future of game development will likely involve a significant role for AI, but it is up to the industry to ensure that it is used in a way that benefits everyone involved.
