Hideo Kojima of Death Stranding believes AI could bridge gaps in player styles, but he remains uninterested in AI-generated content.

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding 2, has once again expressed his stance on the role of AI in game development, and he remains uninterested in using this contentious technology for content creation.

The conversation around AI in gaming has intensified, with rising concerns about major companies leveraging it to slash costs and jobs. This has led to actors striking to safeguard their likenesses, while AI-generated imitations of existing games have started appearing on various platforms.

Kojima differentiates between generative AI and the machine learning techniques that have been part of gaming for some time. He stated, “Rather than having AI create visuals or anything like that, I’m more interested in using AI in the control systems.” He elaborated that with a hundred players, each would exhibit unique habits and tendencies, influencing their control and movement in distinct ways.

He believes AI can “compensate for those differences” in playstyle, enhancing gameplay depth. Kojima pointed out that “in most games, the enemies don’t behave very much like real humans.” By integrating AI, enemy behavior could adapt based on the player’s experiences, actions, and patterns, leading to a more dynamic and engaging gameplay experience.

It seems we won’t be seeing any AI-generated ‘art’ in Kojima’s upcoming titles, as this aligns with his previous comments about using AI to “boost efficiency” without allowing it to dictate the creative aspects of production. Kojima emphasizes that “things that are too comfortable won’t stay inside the player,” which is why he prefers to “leave a bit of discomfort or friction.”