Shuhei Yoshida, former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, has shared his insights on AI in game development, emphasizing its growing role and innovative applications in indie titles.
In an interview with Game*Spark, translated by GamesRadar+, Yoshida explained that both indie and larger studios are incorporating AI in nearly every aspect of development. “Generative AI is being used to create concept art for game proposals,” he said. “[It] is used to read voice lines during development. Because big games are difficult to run playtests for, AI can even play the game instead of a player to improve efficiency.”
Despite these advancements, Yoshida notes that AI is currently most commonly used behind the scenes, rather than in the final product. He finds the applications of AI within the indie scene particularly interesting, where creative and experimental uses are emerging more quickly than in larger studios.
He cites the indie game Hanashi no Hanashi as an example, describing it as a “mystery novel crossed with a lateral thinking game.” In this title, AI controls the game’s suspects, allowing players to interrogate them by typing questions freely, rather than choosing from preset dialogue options. Yoshida commented, “It’s incredible that you can interact with a game in your own words. I feel this type of idea can only take shape so quickly in indie games.”
Looking to the future, Yoshida envisions AI agents becoming a standard feature in games. “They might recommend new things to the player or suggest items to use during gameplay. It would be like having a skilled friend sitting next to you and giving advice. If you have this kind of experience, playing a game becomes even more fun.”
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