Capcom Commits to Excluding GenAI from Games While Exploring Its Use for Operational Efficiency

Capcom has shared its latest investor insights, revealing third-quarter results that are looking solid, even with the “sluggish” sales of Monster Hunter Wilds. The company remains non-committal about mobile gaming but has made a noteworthy declaration: Capcom will “not implement the materials generated by our AI into game content.”

During the investor Q&A, Capcom was asked about its approach to generative AI in game development. This question could stem from concerns about potential reputational damage or from enthusiasts eager to see how Capcom plans to leverage this trending technology. The response was measured, indicating a willingness to utilize generative AI for enhancing production efficiency, while firmly stating that it won’t be incorporated into the final game experience.

Capcom’s clear statement reads, “Our company will not implement the materials generated by our AI into game content.” This is a significant point, suggesting that the Resident Evil developer is aware of the backlash that can arise when games are found to be using AI-generated content. However, the company also mentioned it would be “exploring ways” to harness AI to boost efficiency and productivity in development:

“However, we plan to actively utilize this technology to improve efficiency and productivity in the game development process. Therefore, we are currently exploring ways to use it in various areas, such as graphics, sound, and programming.”

It’s disheartening to see any company making commitments to the non-creative practice of using AI to replicate others’ work in game development. It would be refreshing to hear a major corporation say, “We value the creative contributions of our talented employees and understand that fixing the flawed outputs of a predictive text machine is often more challenging than creating original content. Therefore, we choose to invest in our people rather than chase this latest trend.” Unfortunately, that’s not the case. At least Capcom is assuring players that AI-generated content won’t make its way into the games we enjoy.

However, it’s worth noting that Capcom was among the first to embrace Nvidia’s DLSS 5, a technology that uses AI to alter developer-created art into something less appealing. This recent pledge to investors might be seen as a response to the backlash following the tech’s announcement.