Square Enix’s highly anticipated team shooter, Foamstars, is set to incorporate a minimal amount of AI art, according to the developer. In a recent interview with VGC, Foamstars producer Kosuke Okatani revealed that while the team had experimented with the AI program Midjourney, the majority of the game’s art has been meticulously crafted by hand.
Okatani emphasized that all of the core elements of the game, including the gameplay mechanics that make Foamstars enjoyable, have been handcrafted by the development team. He stated that only about 0.01 percent, or possibly even less, of the game consists of AI-generated assets. Square Enix’s decision to incorporate AI art was primarily driven by a desire to experiment with the technology in the context of Foamstars’ release.
In a separate statement, Square Enix clarified that AI was used specifically in the creation of the in-game album covers for Foamstars’ soundtrack. The developer made it clear that while Midjourney was employed to generate abstract images based on simple prompts, the remaining aspects of the game were entirely the result of the development team’s efforts.
This news comes shortly after Square Enix’s CEO, Takashi Kiryu, expressed the company’s commitment to aggressively leveraging AI in his annual new year letter. Kiryu highlighted the transformative potential of generative AI, not only in reshaping creative output but also in revolutionizing the creative process itself, including programming.
Despite Square Enix’s enthusiasm for AI, skepticism surrounding the technology and its implications within the industry persists. Recently, Ned Luke, known for his role as the voice actor behind Grand Theft Auto 5’s Michael De Santa, publicly criticized a web3 company for utilizing his voice without authorization in an unofficial AI chatbot.
Foamstars’ release is eagerly anticipated by fans, and Square Enix’s experimentation with AI art showcases the company’s commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring innovative technologies in game development. As the game’s launch approaches, players can look forward to experiencing the meticulously crafted handcrafted elements that make Foamstars truly unique.
[Original article: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-09-08-square-enixs-foamstars-shooter-incorporates-minimal-ai-art-mainly-handcrafted]
