Nintendo Rejects Generative AI for Games

While the gaming industry explores the potential of generative AI, Nintendo remains cautious due to concerns over IP rights and the company's predilection for its unique approach to game development.

Nintendo President Says It Won't Integrate AI in Nintendo GamesExpressed Concerns Over IP Rights and Copyright Infringement

Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa revealed that the company currently has no plans to incorporate generative AI in its games, primarily due to concerns over intellectual property (IP) rights. This statement came during a recent Q&A session with investors, where Furukawa discussed the correlation between AI and game development.

Furukawa acknowledged that AI has always played a significant role in game development, particularly in controlling non-playable characters' (NPC) behavior. The term artificial intelligence, "AI," is now more commonly associated with generative AI which can create and regenerate customized and tailor-made content such as text, images, videos, or other data through pattern-learning.

Generative AI has gained prominence in different industries in recent years. "In the game industry, AI-like technologies have long been used to control enemy character movements, so game development and AI have gone hand-in-hand even before," Furukawa explained.

Despite recognizing the creative potential of generative AI, Furukawa noted the challenges it poses, particularly regarding IP rights. "It is possible to produce more creative outputs using generative AI, but we are also aware that problems can arise with intellectual property rights," he said. This concern may stem from the fact that generative AI tools can be used to infringe on existing works and copyright.

Believes in That Unique Nintendo Flair

Furukawa emphasized that Nintendo's approach to game development is based on decades of experience and a commitment to delivering unique gaming experiences. "We have decades of expertise in creating optimal game experiences for our customers.," he stated during the Q&A. "While we are flexible in responding to technological developments, we hope to continue to deliver value that is unique to us and cannot be created through technology alone,"

Nintendo's stance differs from that of other gaming giants. Earlier this year, Ubisoft introduced Project Neural Nexus NEO NPCs, which uses generative AI to simulate in-game conversations and interactions with NPCs. Project producer Xavier Manzanares stressed that generative AI is merely a tool. "Something we keep in mind is every new tech that's on our table cannot create games by itself," said Manzanares. "GenAI is a tool, it is tech. It doesn't create games, it has to be connected to design and it has to be connected to a team that really wants to push something with that tech."

Similarly, Square Enix President Takashi Kiryu views generative AI as a business opportunity to create new content using cutting-edge technologies. Electronic Arts (EA) has also embraced generative AI, with CEO Andrew Wilson predicting that over half of EA's development processes will benefit from advancements in generative AI.