AI technology creates tension in video game development

The expansion of generative artificial intelligence is creating significant tension within the video game industry. While companies view AI as a way to accelerate production and reduce costs during a period of market consolidation and layoffs, professionals fear the technology may devalue human work and lead to job precarity.

Narrative designers Jonas Kyratzes and Verena Kyratzes, associated with the upcoming title ‘The Talos Principle 3’, have criticized the current implementation of the technology. Verena Kyratzes described existing generative AI systems as ‘basically an incredibly intelligent version of a phone’s autocorrect’ and a ‘plagiarism machine’ that contributes to job losses. Jonas Kyratzes expressed concern that companies might use AI for short-term financial gains before collapsing, rather than utilizing its potential for meaningful creative support.

Beyond labor concerns, the industry faces complex intellectual property challenges. In jurisdictions like Spain, content created exclusively by AI lacks the same legal protections as works resulting from human creative intervention. This creates uncertainty regarding the ownership of images, text, music, and code generated by these systems.