Recently, many media reports said that Nintendo said that it "will not use generative AI in first-party games". This statement is based on a response from CEO Shuntaro Furukawa during the Q&A session at Nintendo's 84th Annual General Meeting. However, after confirmation by Japanese media automaton, this interpretation is inconsistent with the actual statement.
According to the transcript of Nintendo's shareholder Q&A session, Furukawa did not explicitly say either "yes" or "no" on the use of AI in game development. There is also no mention of first-party or other games in this context.
The translation of his full answer is as follows:
"The gaming industry has long used AI-like technology to control the behavior of enemy characters, which is why I think game development is inherently closely related to AI. Generative AI, which has recently become prominent, can do more creative things, but there are also problems with intellectual property.
Over the decades, we've built up expertise in creating the best gaming experience for our audiences. While maintaining flexibility in technological development, we intend to continue to offer Nintendo's unique qualities that cannot be created by technology alone. ”
Rather than explicitly confirming or denying Nintendo's use of generative AI in the first party or any game, Furukawa is more of a communication to shareholders about the company's overall stance. This includes three main points:1. Nintendo is aware of the intellectual property risks associated with generative AI. 2. Nintendo intends to be flexible with its approach to future developments. 3. Whether it's AI or any technology, Nintendo has always been unique with its knowledge and experience in game development accumulated over the years.