Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a cornerstone of game development in Japan. A recent survey, conducted by the organization responsible for the Tokyo Game Show, revealed that more than half of Japanese video game developers are now actively incorporating AI into their production workflows.
The 2025 CESA Video Game Industry Report confirmed that 51% of Japanese developers utilize AI for various aspects of game creation. This comprehensive survey, conducted between June and July, included responses from 54 prominent companies such as Sega, Capcom, and Level-5. Developers reported using AI primarily for crafting visual assets, generating stories and text, and providing programming assistance. Interestingly, some studios are even leveraging AI to design their proprietary game engines.
This trend aligns with broader global patterns, where a majority of game developers worldwide are adopting AI systems, even amidst ongoing discussions and concerns among workers regarding its impact.
Major industry players are also weighing in. Sony recently articulated its stance on AI, emphasizing that it should serve as a tool to enhance creativity, not replace human input. Similarly, Nintendo icon Shigeru Miyamoto expressed caution, stating that Nintendo prefers not to hastily integrate AI. Doug Bowser, former president of Nintendo of America, acknowledged AI’s future role but firmly underscored the necessity of preserving a distinct ‘human touch’ in game development.
Across the Atlantic, Activision, a leading American game publisher, has also confirmed its use of AI tools in development. They echo sentiments about ensuring all creative elements remain ‘human-created and touched,’ particularly concerning the artistic direction of their titles.
The rise of AI has also sparked significant labor discussions. Video game voice actors, for instance, fought for AI protections, culminating in SAG-AFTRA’s year-long strike that concluded in June. Even with a new agreement in place, voiceover artists continue to worry about the potential for AI-generated voice duplicates to replace their work in both animation and video games.