Cygames, the developer and publisher behind the popular series of Granblue Fantasy video games, just opened an AI-focused studio. In response to the backlash toward this announcement, Cygames put out a message trying to assuage players’ fears about generative AI’s use in its games. The message isn’t very reassuring, though.
This kerfuffle started on January 9, when a post on Cygames’ Japanese website revealed that Cygames AI Studio had been established. The announcement explains that this new studio will research and develop its own models and provide services to others while drawing on Cygames’ game development history and expertise.
The use of artificial intelligence, specifically generative AI, has become a very hot-button issue in the video game industry as of late. Games like Arc Raiders and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 have faced backlash over their use of the technology, and each new AI-related gaming announcement online usually draws the ire of fans.
This announcement in particular made the fans of Granblue and Umamusume: Pretty Derby nervous, as many don’t want to see generative AI in their favorite games. In response, Cygames released the following message on X, hoping to quell player fears:
The biggest takeaways from the statement are that generative AI art isn’t currently being used in Cygames’ titles, and that the company “won’t implement generative AI into our products without prior notice.”
While Cygames goes on to say it wants to respect the “dignity, passion, and heart of the creators and artists who act as the architects of gaming culture,” that message wasn’t exactly reassuring. Many don’t just want a warning over the use of generative AI, but for it to not be used at all.
The establishment of Cygames AI Studio and this message definitely mean players should keep a close eye on Cygames’ releases going forward to see whether or not they’ll use generative AI.
