The co-founder of Grasshopper Manufacture has stated that NetEase doesn’t allow any of their studios to use AI.
UPDATE: In a statement sent to Insider Gaming, NetEase has denied telling its studios to no longer use AI.
“The situation described did not occur, and we have not published any related policies,” a NetEase spokesperson said.
Due to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), the gaming industry has become increasingly concerned about its application in games. Opinions on this matter vary: some support AI for its ability to expedite mundane tasks, while others argue that it should not be utilized in any artistic capacity. Additionally, some have outright rejected the use of AI altogether. Recently, Take-Two discussed generative AI in relation to GTA 6, and now we also know NetEase’s stance on the issue.
NetEase Shuts Down AI Usage Across All Internal Game Studios
During a new interview with Eurogamer, the co-founder of Grasshopper Manufacture (NetEase acquired it in 2021) and the director of Romeo is a Dead Man, Goichi “Suda 51” Suda, elaborated on his perspective on AI use in games. Talking about his game first, Suda 51 stated that Romeo would be “fake”, “hard to relate to”, and “kind of creepy” if he were made with AI. The director also stated that the work and passion developerss put into creating can be felt by players, whereas AI won’t invoke the same feeling.
Suda 51 then spoke about NetEase banning AI use, stating that they “originally had a section researching and developing AI-related stuff.” However, they decided not to work on that section anymore, shutting it down and telling “their studios to not use AI in games, to not use it at all.”
When asked why, Suda 51 said he doesn’t know the exact reason but speculates there could be two. First, a vast majority of players “don’t like AI and having it in their games,” and second, “issues with copyright infringement” also come into play. Insider Gaming has reached out to NetEase Games for clarification and will update this story once a response is received.
In other news, the Indie Game Awards disqualified Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for using generative AI. Divinity devs have stated that they will “refrain from using GenAI tools” for concept art. What are your thoughts on NetEase telling its studios not use AI at all? Leave your thoughts down in the comments, and join the official Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Marvel Rivals uses AI?
Yeah glad they retracted it. I know they use AI and that is helping them trounce the west. Also Suda he is just setting himself up for more problems his studio will get shutdown after his game comes out running his mouth too much and his new game will flop. Nagoshi’s game for them looks great hope that comes out soon. Maybe James Gunn if he doesn’t get fired hires Suda his brother to work at WB and DC. If they shut him down he loses all IP too. This guy just showed how dumb he is he does do and associate with woke but he really is dumb and No More Heroes 3 was bad how he can mess up that bad I do not know. Forgot he has 2 games out Romeo and that Let It Die 2 game.
Why did he say this then? He is on ice it’s like he wants his studio to shut down speaking like this for them when it’s false. What is he just trying to repeat what the losers in California and Canada tell him his loser millennial influencer and journo friends? This is how he gets fired. Honestly I wanted him to work with Gen Urobuchi on a new IP and a No More Heroes prequel about Jean before she dies and young Henry their origins a darker game than the originals. But Suda has to be an idiot like his boy James Gunn. Shout out Nagoshi his game looks amazing hope it’s GTA gameplay meets Yakuza combat and Mori hope he shows his game soon.