Capcom is exploring the use of generative AI to streamline the creation of the vast number of design ideas needed for its game environments—a process currently demanding "hundreds of thousands" of unique concepts. This initiative reflects a broader industry trend, as rising video game development costs push publishers towards AI-powered tools to accelerate workflows and reduce expenses. This follows reports of AI-generated content in other major titles, such as a cosmetic item in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and a loading screen in a previous Call of Duty installment. EA has even gone so far as to declare AI "the very core" of its business.
In a recent interview with Google Cloud Japan, Capcom's Technical Director Kazuki Abe (a veteran of projects like Monster Hunter: World and Exoprimal) detailed the company's AI experimentation. Abe highlighted the significant time and resources dedicated to generating the sheer volume of unique ideas required for game assets. He cited the example of televisions, noting the need for individual designs, logos, and shapes, ultimately leading to the creation of hundreds of thousands of concepts, including unused ones.
This process involves numerous proposals for tens of thousands of objects per game, each requiring accompanying illustrations and textual descriptions for communication with art directors and artists. Recognizing the potential for optimization, Abe developed a system leveraging generative AI. This system processes game design documents and generates design ideas, accelerating development and refining outputs through iterative feedback.
Abe's prototype utilizes multiple AI models, including Google Gemini Pro, Gemini Flash, and Imagen, and has reportedly received positive internal feedback. The anticipated outcome is a substantial cost reduction compared to manual creation, alongside a potential improvement in overall quality.
Currently, Capcom's AI implementation is focused on this specific system, leaving other critical development aspects—such as core gameplay mechanics, programming, character design, and overall game ideation—under the direction of human developers.
