After using generative AI in a co-op painting game 2 years ago, Palworld studio CEO wants to keep "a healthy distance from technological advancements"

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The team doesn't want to "actively pursue something that’s going to upset people"

Palworld Foxcicle
(Image credit: Pocketpair)

Palworld studio's CEO has urged caution with regards to generative AI in game development, even though they think it'll "unavoidably" find its place among game dev.

Speaking to GameSpark recently in a new interview (and translated by Automaton Media), PocketPair CEO Takuro Mizobe was asked for his stance on generative AI in the games industry, and whether the studio itself would utilize it in future game development. 

"AI is in a stage of transition. While many regard it as remarkable in terms of technology, it’s also seen as unacceptable from an artistic point of view and because of how machine learning works," Mizobe tells the outlet. The PocketPair CEO also thinks generative AI will "unavoidably" find its place in game development.

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It's not very well known, but in 2022 PocketPair actually utilized generative AI in game development for a title called AI: Art Impostor. It's basically a party-based drawing game, played by three to eight people, where your team collaborates on an upcoming art exhibition using AI-generated art.

"AI: Art Impostor is something we made at a time when generative AI seemed like it would take off, which made us go, 'We've got to make a game using this technology!' Personally, I think it ended up being a good game, but we've received various opinions about it," Mizobe commented of the 2022 game. It's worth pointing out that AI: Art Impostor has just a 'Mixed' average user review rating on Steam after 390 reviews.

"What we're making is entertainment, so I don't want us to actively pursue something that’s going to upset people. I want us to maintain a healthy distance from technological advancements," Mizobe concluded. 

Palworld's profits are so massive that its devs' next game could "go beyond AAA," but its CEO doesn't want to wield "such an enormous budget."

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.