The Role of Generative AI in Reviving Crazy Taxi

I was really hyped for a new Crazy Taxi game. Sega had been teasing it for a while, so I knew it was on the way, but the reveal today still got me pumped. I love the chaotic vibe of Crazy Taxi, the over-the-top use of The Offspring, and just smashing into things for fun. But it looks like I won’t be playing Crazy Taxi: World Tour after all, because Sega decided to use generative AI in its development.

This was revealed in a statement on the Steam page for World Tour, which just launched:

At SEGA Corporation, we utilize generative AI as a support tool for developers, aiming to provide better content to our users and enable developers to focus more on creative tasks.

We have used such generative AI support tools during the development of Crazy Taxi: World Tour. No AI was used in reference to the performers in the game.

Seriously, what’s the need for generative AI here? It’s Crazy Taxi! You made a classic back in the late ’90s without any of this tech, and it was fantastic! We have better tools now that aren’t generative AI! What exactly are you generating? Buildings? Soda cans? Signs? Characters? None of that needs generative AI! You could just hire someone to create those assets!

Several other big studios have recently admitted to using generative AI, but this feels different. Most examples involve companies using AI for concept art and then scrambling to apologize when AI-generated content slips into the final product, or trying to sneak it in unnoticed (looking at you, Call of Duty), or using it for localization, or, in the case of The Finals, to cut costs on voice acting.

While those uses shouldn’t be dismissed, this is one of the first times a major AAA developer has openly acknowledged using generative AI to create in-game assets without any apologies. It’s concerning, as it stifles creativity and has environmental implications. But hey, I guess we need to crank out taxis faster or something. The statement is so vague that it could mean anything from a single asset being AI-generated to a significant portion of the game. At least we know The Offspring didn’t use AI, thanks to the mention of the performers.

Update 4:10pm ET: In a statement provided to an outlet, Sega clarified a bit more about its use of generative AI, specifically for “the development of background assets for Crazy Taxi: World Tour.” They noted that any generated assets were still reviewed by the development team.

That… doesn’t really make things any better!

Original story continues:

Well, so long then, Crazy Taxi. It’s tough to see you go, but I’d rather my games be crafted by human hands, thanks.