"If you leave AI to its own devices, your work won't be exceptional" EA reportedly tells devs, despite a massive AI push following its $55 billion Saudi Arabian buyout

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NHL 26's Deluxe Edition uses AI prominently

NHL 26
(Image credit: EA)

Despite an alleged company-wide AI rollout in recent months, EA leadership has reportedly told staff that AI should be used to "extend your ambition" rather than being left "to its own devices."

This comes from an internal presentation within EA Sports, parts of which Kotaku managed to review. Paul Marr, former head of franchise strategy and marketing in EA Sports, now VP and executive creative director at EA, gave the talk, discussing the Deluxe Edition cover for NHL 26 that used generative AI.

NHL 26 Official Gameplay First Look - YouTube NHL 26 Official Gameplay First Look - YouTube
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The cover in question features Keith Tkachuk, a legendary hockey player, flanked by his two sons, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, both now pros in the sport. Keith is de-aged, while Matthew and Brady's images are totally composite because they were unavailable to be photographed. AI was utilized at different points to generate the cover.

As much is in line with purported mandates within Electronic Arts, where chatbots and artificial intelligence are now part of all processes, from creative to managerial. This comes post the massive $55 billion buyout from Saudi Arabia. However, there still seems to be some extent to which AI isn't to be used.

Opposing Steam's AI disclosures, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says game stores should drop "the AI tag" because "it makes no sense" when "AI will be involved in nearly all future production."

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Anthony McGlynn
Anthony McGlynn
Contributing Writer

Anthony is an Irish entertainment and games journalist, now based in Glasgow. He previously served as Senior Anime Writer at Dexerto and News Editor at The Digital Fix, on top of providing work for Variety, IGN, Den of Geek, PC Gamer, and many more. Besides Studio Ghibli, horror movies, and The Muppets, he enjoys action-RPGs, heavy metal, and pro-wrestling. He interviewed Animal once, not that he won’t stop going on about it or anything.

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