Nintendo legends assert that AI will make creative developers even more important

Two Nintendo legends, Shigeru Miyamoto and Masahiro Sakurai, have both recently added to the discourse of AI in game development, but neither seem to view it as a huge threat.

Sakurai, best known for creating Super Smash Bros and Kirby, sat down with Denfaminico Gamer and had this to say on the rapid number of Steam titles being added to the platform: "I think 19,000 titles is an impressive number, but I think that figure will grow even further from here on out."

"I’m certain of it, because AI will drive that increase. However, I think most of those titles will be commercially unviable. There will simply be too many to keep track of, or even understand."

"When it comes to AI-generated games, or those churned out through mass production with little care, I think most of them will simply replicate systems that we’ve already seen in other games. There are already plenty of examples of this now."

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

However, despite the masses of AI generated games flooding Steam's library, this also gives developers an opportunity to get creative as AI can only copy what’s been done before.

"However, AI wouldn’t be able to create the kind of game that [Fumito] Ueda himself plans to make in the future," Sakurai added.

"Only he can decide what kind of artistic direction his future work will take. I think that’s precisely what constitutes the originality that only humans can possess."

A few days later after Sakurai's comments Shigeru Miyamoto, the developer behind Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, also chimed in during a press conference when he was asked about the topic.

As translated by Video Game Chronicle, Miyamoto stated that: "Looking back at past designs, there are some that were created merely by copying and pasting.

"Yet, such work rarely stands the test of time; it lacks the individual’s particular design intention.

"Because the process relies on an individual’s intent, with the computer serving as an assistant for the labour, I believe that even as technology continues to evolve, and even if AI were to eventually handle everything, there will always be a role left for us to play."

Clearly, these comments made from two legendary game designers express one thing – although AI is being increasingly used it cannot replace true quality.

Nintendo has not officially stated how or if they will use generative AI in their games, whilst other developers like Capcom are integrating the tool into its in-house game engine, whereas Xbox has set up a new division to explore the technology further.

However, in conversation with Eurogamer, former Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser did say discussions over AI were happening internally, but also stressed that the human element in game development is what’s crucial.

Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.