Square Enix wants to use more generative AI in game development
Square Enix wants to use more generative AI in developing and publishing games. The technology should take the Japanese game publisher’s productivity and marketing efforts to the next level in the short term.
Takashi Kiryu, president and deputy CEO of Square Enix, writes in a New Year’s letter that artificial intelligence and other technology will make new content possible in the longer term. It is not clear what exactly he means by that. The man does refer to generative AI and states that this form of ‘artificial intelligence’ can not only be used to generate text and dialogues, but also to create images, videos, music and even programs. According to him, these are domains that are closely linked to digital entertainment. “I believe that generative AI can change the manufacturing process, even when it comes to programming.” Kiryu mentions in a letter to investors that Square Enix still has an eye for blockchain, Web 3.0 and cloud applications and is still making efforts to do so.
Square Enix has been interested in blockchain, AI and cloud technology for some time. The company stated in 2022 that it had plans to invest in these technologies. It had then sold three of its foreign studios to Embracer Group. The top of the Japanese game publishing house indicated in 2022 that players were ‘very enthusiastic’ about the implementation of NFTs and blockchain in games. The CEO’s statements were remarkable, as other game companies had already received a lot of criticism for including NFTs in their games. For example, the Ukrainian developer GSC Game World was one of them. Square Enix is the publisher behind game franchises such as Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts and Just Cause.
Update2:25 PM – Added additional information to the first paragraph about Takashi Kiryu’s vision of generative AI.
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