Capcom is exploring generative AI to streamline the creation of the vast number of design concepts required for its game environments. The company faces the escalating costs of video game development, a challenge shared by many publishers who are increasingly turning to AI tools, despite ongoing controversies. Activision, for instance, faced criticism for allegedly using AI-generated content in Call of Duty. EA has even declared AI as "central" to its operations.

In a recent interview with Google Cloud Japan, Capcom's technical director Kazuki Abe (known for his work on titles like Monster Hunter: World and Exoprimal) detailed the company's AI experimentation. Abe highlighted the significant time and effort involved in generating the "hundreds of thousands" of unique design ideas needed for even a single game. He cited the design of everyday objects, such as televisions, each requiring unique designs, logos, and shapes, as an example of this massive design workload. This process involves numerous proposals, complete with illustrations and descriptions, for each object.

To improve efficiency, Abe developed a system using generative AI. This system processes game design documents and generates design ideas, accelerating the development process. The AI also provides self-feedback, iteratively refining its output. This prototype, leveraging AI models like Google Gemini Pro, Gemini Flash, and Imagen, has reportedly received positive internal feedback. The expected outcome is a substantial cost reduction and a potential improvement in design quality compared to manual creation.

Currently, Capcom's AI implementation is focused solely on this concept generation system. Other critical aspects of game development, such as gameplay mechanics, programming, character design, and overall game ideation, remain firmly under the control of human developers.