Capcom Uses AI to Generate Unique In-Game Environments

In the ever-evolving world of video game development, Capcom is pushing the boundaries by integrating generative AI to streamline the creation of in-game environments. As costs continue to escalate, game publishers like Capcom are turning to AI to accelerate development and reduce expenses. This move follows similar steps taken by industry giants; for instance, Call of Duty introduced an "AI-generated cosmetic" in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 towards the end of 2023, sparking discussions among fans about the use of AI in game design. EA has also emphasized AI as central to its operations.

In an insightful interview with Google Cloud Japan, Kazuki Abe, a technical director at Capcom known for his contributions to blockbuster titles such as Monster Hunter: World and Exoprimal, shed light on how Capcom is harnessing AI in its development pipeline. Abe pinpointed the creation of "hundreds of thousands" of unique ideas as one of the most labor-intensive aspects of game development. He elaborated that even simple objects like televisions demand unique designs, logos, and shapes. "Including unused ones, we ended up having to come up with hundreds of thousands of ideas," Abe noted (via Automaton).

To address this challenge, Abe developed a system that utilizes generative AI to analyze game design documents and generate ideas. This innovative approach not only speeds up the development process but also allows the AI to refine its outputs based on internal feedback. His system leverages multiple AI models, including Google Gemini Pro, Gemini Flash, and Imagen, and has garnered positive feedback from Capcom's internal teams. According to Abe, the implementation of this AI model could lead to significant cost reductions while simultaneously enhancing the quality of the game's assets.

Currently, Capcom's exploration with AI is focused solely on this system for generating ideas for in-game objects. Other critical areas of game development, such as ideation, gameplay mechanics, programming, and character design, remain the domain of human creativity and expertise. This strategic use of AI highlights Capcom's commitment to balancing technological advancement with the irreplaceable value of human ingenuity in game development.