Nintendo Denies AI Use in Mario Kart World Development Amid Billboard Speculation

Nintendo has firmly denied allegations that it utilized AI-generated images for billboards in the eagerly awaited Mario Kart World. Speculation began after a Nintendo Treehouse livestream showcased the game, where some fans noticed oddities in certain in-game advertisements, such as images of a construction site, a bridge, and an unusually tall car. These images sparked discussions about the potential use of AI in the game's graphics.

While it's common for pre-release games to feature placeholder graphics that don't make it to the final version, Nintendo was quick to clarify that no AI-generated images were used in the development of Mario Kart World. In a statement to Eurogamer, the company stated, "AI-generated images were not used in the development of Mario Kart World."

The use of generative AI has become a contentious topic in the creative industries, particularly in video game development. Issues such as ethics, copyright, and job displacement have been raised by labor unions and performers, who are advocating for protections against the use of AI in their field.

Last September, Nintendo's legendary developer Shigeru Miyamoto emphasized the company's intention to take a unique approach compared to the broader video game industry regarding AI. In contrast to EA CEO Andrew Wilson's assertion that AI is at "the very core of our business" — a point IGN explored further — Miyamoto told The New York Times that Nintendo aims to maintain its distinctiveness. "It might seem like we are just going the opposite direction for the sake of going in the opposite direction, but it really is trying to find what makes Nintendo special," he explained. He further noted, "There is a lot of talk about A.I., for example. When that happens, everyone starts to go in the same direction, but that is where Nintendo would rather go in a different direction."

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa echoed these sentiments in July, acknowledging the potential of generative AI for creative applications but highlighting concerns over intellectual property rights. Furukawa stated, "We have decades of know-how in creating the best gaming experiences for our players. While we are open to utilizing technological developments, we will work to continue delivering value that is unique to Nintendo and cannot be created by technology alone."

Mario Kart World is set to be a console exclusive for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, which is scheduled for release on June 5. Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449.99, opened on April 24 and were met with enthusiastic response. For more details, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.