Disgaea creator, former Nippon Ichi Software president and current Superniche CEO Sohei Niikawa recently discussed the role of generative AI in game development during an interview with Dengeki Online.
Niikawa begins by clarifying that he doesn’t view AI as a menace, but rather as a helpful instrument. While he acknowledges the benefits of using AI to enhance productivity, he strongly opposes any form of copyright infringement or illegal practices. When it comes to his personal work, Niikawa mentions that he has no plans to incorporate the technology, particularly in his writing.
“I can see people creating a plot and then letting AI complete the story for them, and I’m sure this is already happening. I don’t want to dismiss that approach entirely, but it does make me wonder – Is that truly engaging?,” Niikawa remarks.
He points out that while AI could be effective for mass production, creating a high volume of games is not his objective. “My core motivation is to craft the stories and characters I personally want to bring to life, so each one must be shaped by my own hands. It loses its appeal if I don’t carefully construct every word myself,” Niikawa explains.
This philosophy is a major reason why Niikawa avoids using AI in his creative process. Although he sees potential in AI for tasks like generating character names or researching information, he has “no interest in letting it write the story in my place.”
“For instance, I wouldn’t ask AI to generate 10 marketable story ideas. I derive satisfaction from choosing themes that genuinely intrigue me and writing about them myself – so that approach doesn’t align with my vision,” Niikawa adds.
At present, Niikawa is involved in writing and producing several new projects, including Demons’ Night Fever, a speedrun-focused SRPG, and Noroi Ayashi: The ∞th Oddity, a time loop-inspired horror stealth action game. Fans can be confident that the concepts and scenarios for these games are entirely crafted by humans.
Demons’ Night Fever is scheduled to release on October 22, 2026 for PC (Steam), PS5, and Nintendo Switch. Noroi Ayashi: The ∞th Oddity is set for release on PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2 in 2027.