In context: The AI boom has had its share of controversy. Whether it’s the accuracy of large language models or companies rushing shoddy AI products just to be the first with something, no matter how bad, there are two sides to every issue. The fears over AI replacing human labor are arguably one of the more volatile sub-topics of the continuing AI debate.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick thinks the ongoing AI revolution will not significantly affect the game production industry from an employment or creative standpoint. Although ChatGPT has proven it can write functional game code, Zelnick doesn’t think it can improve game design or make the development process exponentially more efficient.
“I would love to say that it’s going to make things cheaper, quicker, better, or easier to make hits,” Zelnick told CNBC in a Squawk Box interview. “I don’t think that’s the case.”
He pointed out that Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most successful entertainment products ever released. He says GTA6 is set to continue that legacy, but neither game relied on AI in the sense that we think about it today. Zelnick reminds us that game studios have been in the AI business all along – a lot longer than the current LLM craze – and that will not change. Every game we However, as far as AI taking over coding duties and other aspects of game design, he doesn’t see that happening.
“The interactive entertainment business has been in AI forever. Let me just remind you that AI stands for artificial intelligence. Which is an oxymoron,” the CEO said. “There is no such thing. It’s just a description of a digital toolset.”
He believes AI in gaming will be no different from current toolsets like Blender and Unreal Engine. It will just be another software package that developers can use to help them in their work. It will not lead any company to be more successful than any other because everybody will have access to the same tools. It is still going to be humans who come up with creative ideas that will determine the success of a game.
“All of our tools do help us become more efficient … that said, it’s going to become commoditized. Everyone is going to have access to the same tools. That is the history of toolsets. What it means, though, is our creative people will be able to do fewer mundane tasks and turn their attention to the really creative tasks. The machines can’t make the creative decisions for you.”
Nvidia and others do not see it that way and are betting the house that AI will replace humans at specific tasks, including writing and coding. Fable creator Peter Molyneux recently stated that people will soon be able to create a game with a simple, plain language prompt. Modders are already adding AI NPCs to games that will improve as language models evolve. Still, other companies are working on toolsets similar to those Zelnick imagines.
I would argue that the games industry has lacked true creativity for several years. I offer all the rehashed, remixed, remastered, and remade games we’ve had to stomach over the last several years. Maybe AI could do better. It certainly can’t do worse at this point. Your thoughts?