Palworld Dev On AI: “Gamers Don’t Want It”
John Buckley, the communications lead for Palworld developer Pocketpair, has shared his views on the increasingly debated topic of AI in gaming. In an interview with GamesRadar, Buckley made it clear that the sentiment among gamers is not in favor of AI integration.
"Gamers don't want it," Buckley said. "And if the gamers don't want it, I guess that's it, right? Not much of a conversation to be had."
When it comes to using AI technologies for game development, Buckley is firm in his stance. "It's not really for us," he said, emphasizing that Pocketpair is not pursuing AI integration in its workflow.
He acknowledged that some companies are using AI systems to streamline processes and save time. However, he refrained from labeling the AI trend as a "bubble," though he expressed uncertainty about how long the current enthusiasm will last.
Buckley raised concerns about the use of AI in creative areas like art. "There's no reason to get rid of [our in-house artists] for the sake of an AI doing it. Just seems pointless," he remarked, highlighting the value of human creativity in game development.
In a more dystopian vision of the future, Buckley imagines a scenario where studios might need to label their games as "100% human made" to reassure players that AI tools weren't involved. This idea, he said, is troubling and reflects a growing divide between developers and players.
Currently, developers can choose to disclose the use of generative AI on Steam, though it's not a mandatory requirement. However, Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, has criticized this disclosure practice, arguing it's unnecessary since almost all games use AI in some capacity.
This debate gained traction recently when it was revealed that two games from Summer Game Fest — Crazy Taxi: World Tour and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis — used AI in their development. The issue has sparked conversations about transparency and consumer preferences.
New data from Circana shows that while most gamers are indifferent to the use of generative AI in video games, a vocal minority is increasingly vocal about it. At the same time, more people are expressing a willingness to avoid purchasing games if they discover AI was used in their creation.
A recent study from GDC found that more than 50% of developers believe generative AI poses a threat to the video game industry — a significant increase from 30% the previous year. Only 7% of respondents reported a positive impact from AI in game development.
