Nintendo has denied claims that it lobbied Japanese lawmakers against generative AI. The company stressed it has not communicated with the Japanese government regarding this technology.
Nintendo refutes lobbying allegations
The denial followed Japanese politician Satoshi Asano’s apology after claiming Nintendo was lobbying against generative AI. Asano later deleted the original post after issuing a second apology.
Nintendo clarified, “Whether generative AI is involved or not, we will continue to take necessary actions against infringement of our intellectual property rights.”
Nintendo’s stance on game development
Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America, emphasized that the company will maintain a “human touch” in its games. He described their developers’ insights and artistic skills as what make Nintendo’s games special.
This approach contrasts with other companies in the industry, such as Square Enix, which is actively applying AI technology. Companies like Capcom and Level-5 have also experimented with generative AI in their projects.
Current AI trends in the gaming industry
According to a survey by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association, over half of Japanese game companies are utilizing AI in their development processes.
This shift indicates a growing trend toward AI integration among Japanese game developers, highlighting the divergence between Nintendo and its competitors.
