Square Enix’s CEO recently flirted with disaster when he reaffirmed the company’s desire to explore AI and blockchain technology. While most would’ve expected this to mean that the Japanese giant’s potentially risky venture will happen in the future, this isn’t the case. Apparently, its upcoming PlayStation-exclusive shooter, Foamstars, uses AI-generated assets, a revelation that, obviously, hasn’t been met with welcoming arms.
In an interview with VGC, Kosuke Okatani, the producer of Foamstars, revealed that Square Enix used AI tools for the game’s artwork, specifically the album covers for the soundtrack. The tool in question, Midjourney, is one of the most well-known generative AI tools. It’s popular for transforming text prompts into visual art, but it has drawn plenty of controversy, particularly for crossing the line between taking inspiration from existing works and plagiarism, among others. Okatani emphasized that AI-generated art in Foamstars is minimal, accounting for roughly 0.01% of the game’s content. He assured that the core gameplay elements, which are crucial to the game’s enjoyment, were hand-crafted by the development team.
Square Enix’s decision to experiment with AI in Foamstars is part of the growing trend in the gaming industry, where AI technologies are increasingly being explored for various purposes. From enhancing facial animations and camera angles in games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake to creating in-game icons and artwork, AI is slowly finding its way into different aspects of game development. This move is not only about innovation but also about efficiency and exploring new creative possibilities.
Using AI in Foamstars has created discussions, mostly drawing mixed reactions. While some players have expressed an understandable disappointment upon learning about the AI’s involvement, citing concerns about the replacement of human artists, others see it as an exciting development in the evolution of game design. The controversy surrounding AI-generated art in the gaming industry mirrors similar debates in other creative fields, where the balance between technological advancement and artistic integrity is a constant subject of discussion.
If nothing else, Square Enix’s approach to using AI in Foamstars, despite risking backlash, reflects its commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation in gaming. As previously mentioned, the company’s president had stated in a New Year’s letter its intention to apply AI and other technologies aggressively in content development and publishing. This strategy is aimed at enhancing development productivity and creating new forms of content that leverage technological innovations.
Despite the minor role AI plays in Foamstars, its inclusion is a noteworthy example of how even the biggest video game developers are beginning to integrate AI into their creative processes.
While the core of Foamstars remains a product of human creativity and skill, the incorporation of AI-generated assets, even in a small capacity, represents a step towards a future where AI and human creativity can, hopefully, coexist.
As Foamstars prepares for its launch on February 6 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, it stands as yet another example of the constant evolution of the video game industry. As for the game itself, it will be available on all PlayStation Plus subscription tiers for free until March 5. Afterwards, players will have to buy a copy of Foamstars for $29.99.
