Glen Schofield, a seasoned veteran behind iconic titles like Dead Space and various Call of Duty installments, suggests that artificial intelligence could be the solution to the video game industry’s current struggles. His recent remarks at Gamescom Asia come at a critical juncture, as many within the gaming community express significant reservations and fears regarding AI’s expanding role.
During his appearance, Schofield passionately declared, “We need to fix the gaming industry right now.” He described the industry as “broken, beaten, and battered,” acknowledging the immense pressure and challenges faced by developers in recent years. His call to action emphasizes the urgent need to restore positivity and health to the sector.
Schofield urged the gaming industry to embrace AI rather than succumb to fear.
He clarified that AI’s purpose isn’t to replace human talent but to enhance productivity and creativity. “AI isn’t here to replace us,” he stated. “It’s here to make us faster, better, and more efficient. And AI is for all of us, it really is. It’s not just for directors and artists; it’s for writers and marketing execs.”
He implored industry leaders, executives, and founders to prioritize training developers in AI tools immediately. This adoption is already underway, with a 2024 survey revealing that most global game developers are incorporating AI into their pipelines, even amidst lingering worker apprehension.
Addressing the common fear that AI might supplant human creativity and jobs, Schofield stressed that human ingenuity remains indispensable. He reminded developers, “Ideas are the lifeblood of the industry. And those ideas? They come from you.”
Schofield previously acknowledged that AI integration could lead to short-term job market disruption but maintained that it would ultimately generate more employment opportunities over time. He drew parallels to historical technological shifts, such as the advent of cell phones, the internet, PCs, and automobiles, all of which initially caused concern but eventually spawned entirely new industries and millions of jobs.
Schofield’s perspective isn’t unique; other notable figures like Masahiro Sakurai, the mastermind behind Kirby and Super Smash Bros., also advocate for AI. Sakurai has openly stated that AAA game development is currently unsustainable and that AI offers a viable path forward.
Major players are already on board. Sony has leveraged AI for years, attributing faster development on Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 to machine learning. Similarly, EA Sports credits AI and machine learning for the quality of CFB 25, suggesting it wouldn’t have been as good otherwise.
However, the transition isn’t without controversy. Former Candy Crush developers laid off by Activision Blizzard reported being replaced by the very AI tools they helped develop. Furthermore, a recent report indicates EA might escalate AI implementation to accelerate development, especially concerning its private sale to an investor consortium. This potential move has been met with strong criticism from EA workers, who fear mass layoffs and studio closures.
Worker sentiment towards AI remains mixed. A survey highlighted that 30% of developers now view generative AI negatively, a 12% increase from 2023. Their concerns include intellectual property theft, high energy consumption, and inherent biases within AI programs.