Capcom Experimenting With Generative AI to Create 'Hundreds of Thousands of Unique Ideas' Needed to Build In-Game Environments

Capcom is leveraging generative AI to streamline the creation of the vast number of design concepts required for its game environments. With escalating video game development costs, publishers are increasingly turning to AI, a move that remains controversial. This follows reports of AI-generated content in games like Call of Duty, sparking debate amongst players. EA has even declared AI as "fundamental" to its operations.

In a recent interview with Google Cloud Japan, Capcom's Technical Director Kazuki Abe (known for his work on titles such as Monster Hunter: World and Exoprimal) detailed the company's AI experimentation. Abe highlighted the significant time and resources dedicated to generating the "hundreds of thousands" of unique ideas needed for game assets. He cited the design of everyday objects like televisions, each requiring unique designs, logos, and shapes, as an example of this massive undertaking. Thousands, even tens of thousands, of design proposals are needed for such objects in a single game, each requiring illustrations and descriptions for the art team.

To address this efficiency bottleneck, Abe developed a system employing generative AI. This system processes various game design documents and generates design concepts, accelerating the development process. The AI iteratively refines its output based on self-analysis and feedback, further improving efficiency.

Abe's prototype utilizes multiple AI models, including Google Gemini Pro, Gemini Flash, and Imagen, and has reportedly received positive internal feedback. The projected outcome is a substantial cost reduction compared to manual creation, while simultaneously enhancing design quality.

Currently, Capcom's AI implementation is confined to this specific system. Other critical aspects of game development, such as core gameplay mechanics, programming, character design, and overall game direction, remain firmly under human control.