In a recent Q&A with investors, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa explained how the company won’t be using generative AI to create its first-party games. There are two important reasons for this: first, generative AI can have issues with IP rights, and second, Nintendo makes games with more than just technology.
The Q&A session, which was translated by Tweaktown, shows how Nintendo sees generative AI and how it’s being used in the games industry. While other businesses believe there are more pros to using the technology to streamline game development, Furukawa beautifully explained how Nintendo has been making games for many years using creative processes and technology in harmony and won’t be relying on generative AI to speed part of that process up.
Great games aren’t made with technology alone
Furukawa was asked about the use of generative AI in this investor Q&A, and his response was considerate yet clear. “In the game industry, AI-like technology has long been used to control enemy character movements, so game development and AI technology have always been closely related. Generative AI, which has been a hot topic in recent years, can be more creative, but we also recognize that it has issues with intellectual property rights. We have decades of know-how in creating optimal gaming experiences for our customers, and while we remain flexible in responding to technological developments, we hope to continue to deliver value that is unique to us and cannot be achieved through technology alone.”
As you can read for yourself in the above quote, Nintendo is concerned about IP rights infringement with generative AI because these systems don’t have any way to understand if they’re violating copyright. Furthermore, and most importantly, Furukawa points to the creative process outside of technology in game development and how essential that is to Nintendo’s portfolio of releases.
AI has become a buzzword among tech companies and their investors. Big names like Xbox have been expressing its importance since 2023. In response to this news about Nintendo, fans are pleased that at least one major name in games won’t be following suit.
User Top_Ok on Reddit sums up most of the thoughts on this matter perfectly. “Always appreciate that unlike a lot of other companies, they don’t tend to try and chase current trends and prioritize the long-term health of the company.” For now, at least, it sounds like Nintendo fans are very pleased that games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be free of AI-generated content.
