Capcom is exploring the use of generative AI to address the massive need for design ideas in game development. Creating the "hundreds of thousands" of unique concepts required for in-game environments is incredibly time-consuming. As video game development costs continue to escalate, publishers are increasingly turning to AI tools, a move that remains controversial. Reports suggest Call of Duty utilized AI for cosmetic items in Modern Warfare 3 and potentially a loading screen in 2023, sparking debate among fans. EA even declared AI as "the very core" of its business strategy last September.
In a recent interview with Google Cloud Japan, Capcom's Technical Director Kazuki Abe (known for his work on Monster Hunter: World and Exoprimal) detailed the company's AI experimentation. Abe highlighted the significant manpower required to generate the sheer volume of unique ideas needed for a single game. He cited the design of everyday objects like televisions, each demanding unique designs, logos, and shapes, ultimately leading to the creation of hundreds of thousands of concepts, many of which remain unused. Thousands to tens of thousands of such objects require multiple design proposals per game, each proposal needing illustrations and accompanying text for effective communication with art directors and artists.
Recognizing the potential for efficiency gains, Abe developed a system leveraging generative AI. This system processes game design documents and outputs design ideas, accelerating development and refining its own output through iterative feedback. His prototype, integrating AI models like Google Gemini Pro, Gemini Flash, and Imagen, has reportedly garnered positive internal feedback. The anticipated outcome is a significant cost reduction and potential quality improvement compared to manual creation.
Currently, Capcom's AI implementation is focused solely on this ideation system. Other crucial aspects of game development, including gameplay design, programming, and character creation, remain firmly in the hands of human developers.
