Nintendo Refuses to Use Generative AI in Their Games

While the gaming industry explores generative AI's potential, Nintendo maintains a cautious stance due to IP concerns and its commitment to unique game design.

Nintendo President: No AI Integration in Nintendo Games

IP Rights and Copyright Concerns Take Center Stage

image (c) NintendoIn a recent investor Q&A, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa announced that generative AI won't be integrated into Nintendo games. The primary concern? Intellectual property rights. Furukawa discussed the relationship between AI and game development, acknowledging AI's long-standing role in controlling NPC behavior. However, he distinguished this traditional AI from the newer generative AI, capable of creating original text, images, and videos.

Generative AI's rise across various industries is undeniable. Furukawa explained, "In game development, AI-like technologies have long been used to control enemy character movements, so game development and AI have gone hand-in-hand even before," but highlighted the IP challenges: "It is possible to produce more creative outputs using generative AI, but we are also aware that problems can arise with intellectual property rights." This concern likely stems from generative AI's potential for copyright infringement.

Preserving the Unique Nintendo Experience

Furukawa stressed Nintendo's decades-long commitment to crafting unique gaming experiences. He stated, "We have decades of expertise in creating optimal game experiences for our customers. 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."

This position contrasts with other gaming giants. Ubisoft's Project Neural Nexus NEO NPCs, for example, utilizes generative AI for NPC interactions, but its producer, Xavier Manzanares, emphasized that AI is just a tool. Similarly, Square Enix views generative AI as a business opportunity, and EA's CEO, Andrew Wilson, anticipates generative AI significantly impacting its development processes.