Do video game developers use AI? The players want to know, but the rules are sketchy

As in all creative industries, generative artificial intelligence (AI) has also found its way into video games.

Non-generative AI has been around in the industry long before things like ChatGPT became household names. Video games would feature AI-driven gameplay systems such as matchmaking, non-player character (NPC) behavior, or iconic fictional AI characters such as SHODAN and GLaDOS.

Now generative AI is being used to produce game content and accelerate development. This puts jobs in the creative sector at risk and raises concerns about low-effort releases or “slop”.

If you buy a video game today, you may not be able to reliably know whether generative AI was used in any part of its development – from the art and voice work to the code and marketing.

Should developers disclose it? Since 2023, disclosure of AI in video games has gone from non-existent to patchy. It probably has more to do with copyright concerns than transparency with players.

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