Cygames Launches AI Studio for Granblue Fantasy, Assuring Fans of Its Intentions

Cygames, known for the beloved Granblue Fantasy series, has launched a new studio dedicated to artificial intelligence. This move has sparked concern among players, prompting Cygames to address their worries about the potential use of generative AI in its games. However, the reassurance offered may not be enough to calm the fears of the community.

The controversy began on January 9, when Cygames announced the formation of Cygames AI Studio on its Japanese website. The studio aims to research and develop its own AI models while leveraging the company’s extensive game development experience. The topic of AI, particularly generative AI, has become increasingly contentious in the gaming world. Titles like Arc Raiders and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 have faced criticism for their AI implementations, and any news related to AI tends to provoke strong reactions from fans.

This particular announcement raised alarms among fans of Granblue and Umamusume: Pretty Derby, many of whom are opposed to the integration of generative AI in their favorite titles. In an effort to alleviate these concerns, Cygames shared a message on X, stating that generative AI art is not currently being utilized in their games and that they “won’t implement generative AI into our products without prior notice.” While the company expressed a desire to honor the “dignity, passion, and heart of the creators and artists who act as the architects of gaming culture,” this statement did little to reassure those who prefer that generative AI not be used at all.

With the establishment of Cygames AI Studio and the recent communication, players will likely be keeping a vigilant watch on future releases to see how the company navigates the use of generative AI.