Former Atlus developer Kazuma Kaneko – renowned for his art direction and character design contributions to the Megami Tensei franchise – recently sat down with Nikkei Gaming to discuss his perspectives on AI and its potential impact on game development careers. This discussion follows the April launch of Kazuma Kaneko’s Tsukuyomi, a deckbuilding RPG project Kaneko spearheaded at COLOPL. The title incorporates 3,600 AI-generated cards produced by an AI model reportedly trained on Kaneko’s artwork, which sparked mixed reactions and backlash from fans, especially in Western markets.
Reflecting on the experience, Kaneko tells Nikkei that adopting AI felt like “a risky endeavor,” indicating he foresaw the controversy. Nevertheless, he maintains that the primary motivation behind this decision was “purely because it appeared engaging.”
Kaneko draws parallels between generative AI and the public’s resistance to it with previous technological milestones. “This mirrors what happened when computer graphics entered animation studios. Technological leaps occur periodically, and that’s simply how progress works. For creators, the critical question is whether they can adapt, and the only path to discovery is through experimentation,” he explains.
Regarding AI potentially displacing human workers, Kaneko views it as a “foregone conclusion” in certain domains. “When mechanical sewing machines became widespread, many tailors likely lost their livelihoods. However, those skills didn’t disappear entirely—they evolved into specialized crafts like haute couture. Likewise, I believe game development roles will bifurcate into functions that are automated and those that endure.”
According to Kaneko, for game creators to “thrive” amid AI’s rise, their capacity to “manipulate human emotions” is paramount—an ability essential for crafting entertainment that resonates deeply with audiences. He argues that AI fundamentally lacks this capability (which he attributes to a deficiency in “personal intentions/self-interests” inherent in humans), making it incapable of eliciting emotional responses through novelty, evolution, edginess, or what he terms “artistic provocation” to truly entertain.
While no updates have emerged regarding Kaneko’s upcoming projects, he continues to express optimism about AI’s role in game development. Notably, a Steam adaptation of Kazuma Kaneko’s Tsukuyomi was recently unveiled, set for release on July 24.
In a February announcement, Kaneko’s employer COLOPL revealed it has 11 PC/console games and 5 mobile games in development, with one title specifically described as “AI-driven.” Considering Kaneko initially departed Atlus to join COLOPL seeking to explore his personal creative interests (such as mobile gaming) and launch his own ventures, it’s plausible he might be overseeing one of these unannounced projects, though this remains speculative.