The Last of Us Co-Director Expresses Discontent with AI

Bruce Straley, co-director of The Last of Us, has shared his perspective on the role of generative AI in game development, emphasizing that the technology lacks the ability to “grow and think for itself.” He explained that it merely “consumes and tries to mimic what it’s consumed,” describing it as “a snake eating its own tail.” The debate around AI in gaming is fueled by varying definitions of the technology. Straley noted that “NPCs are AI” and have been part of gaming for decades.

In his latest project, Coven of the Chickenfoot, players step into the shoes of Gertie, an elderly witch accompanied by a “creature companion” capable of “observing, learning, and developing new behaviors based on contextual situations.” This has sparked curiosity about whether the creature was created using generative AI or similar technologies. However, Straley clarified that the creature was crafted by human hands. He humorously remarked, “If you feed it too many bad apples, it gets indigestion and poops in the woods,” highlighting the importance of world-building and crafting unique moments.

Straley emphasized that the aim was not to create a “human” companion with “human intelligence.” He regards the human brain as a “miracle” and expressed disinterest in replicating it through machines. “I don’t know who wants it, I don’t know who’s asking for it, I don’t know who’s pushing for it, but I don’t think it’s the way as a human species we need to be evolving,” he stated.

Regarding Coven of the Chickenfoot, Straley confirmed that no machine learning or large language models were utilized in its development. “No, we did none of that. This is hard work, and a lot of problem solving, and a lot of creative thinking,” he said. While he acknowledged that generative AI might create interesting content within a limited game world, he expressed a strong disinterest in pursuing it further. “I have zero interest in looking at art that is generated by a computer. I don’t think prompting is art. I don’t like AI!” he declared.

After leaving Naughty Dog in 2017 following 18 years with the company, Straley founded a new studio, Wildflower Interactive, in 2022. In related news, the CEO of a well-known studio recently addressed criticism regarding his comments on the potential use of AI in early production for a new title.