Nintendo Refuses to Use Generative AI in Their Games

While the gaming industry explores generative AI's potential, Nintendo remains cautious. Concerns over intellectual property rights and their commitment to a unique development approach drive this decision.

Nintendo President: No Generative AI in Nintendo Games

IP Rights and Copyright Concerns

(c) Nintendo

Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa recently confirmed that generative AI won't be integrated into Nintendo games. The primary concern? Intellectual property rights. During an investor Q&A, Furukawa discussed the relationship between AI and game development, clarifying the distinction between traditional AI and the newer generative AI. He acknowledged AI's long-standing role in game development, particularly in NPC behavior control, but highlighted generative AI's capacity to create original content, including text, images, and video, through pattern learning.

Generative AI's rise across industries is undeniable. Furukawa explained, "In the game industry, AI-like technologies have long been used to control enemy character movements, so game development and AI have gone hand-in-hand even before." However, he stressed the potential IP challenges: "It is possible to produce more creative outputs using generative AI, but we are also aware that problems can arise with intellectual property rights." This concern reflects the potential for generative AI to inadvertently infringe on existing copyrights.

The Unique Nintendo Experience

Furukawa emphasized Nintendo's decades-long commitment to crafting unique gaming experiences. He stated, "We have decades of expertise in creating optimal game experiences for our customers. While we are flexible in responding to technological developments, we hope to continue to deliver value that is unique to us and cannot be created through technology alone."

This stance contrasts with other gaming giants. Ubisoft's Project Neural Nexus, for example, uses generative AI for NPC interactions, but producer Xavier Manzanares clarified that AI is a tool, not a game creator. Similarly, Square Enix's Takashi Kiryu sees generative AI as a business opportunity, while EA's Andrew Wilson anticipates widespread adoption of generative AI in their development processes.