Sakurai says creative developers will matter more as AI games flood Steam

[Rogue Di]

Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of Super Smash Bros and Kirby, has shared his thoughts on AI and the future of games. VGC's Chris Scullion reports on his interview with Denfaminico Gamer, which VGC quoted using machine translation

Sakurai expects AI to keep increasing the number of games released. He pointed out that about 275 games reached Steam in 2010, when he launched his Game Designers Award, compared with roughly 19,000 a year now. That growth has already made it hard for games to stand out

He predicts most AI or mass produced games will copy existing systems and struggle commercially. He gave the example of the puzzle game Librarian, which inspired imitators about restocking shelves and sorting screws

Sakurai also said AI might be able to mimic Fumito Ueda's Ico or Shadow of the Colossus, but could never make the games Ueda is planning to make next. His argument is that creators who explore uncharted territory will become even more valuable as AI copies flood the market

It is an optimistic view from one of gaming's most respected designers. It also fits with the concerns about AI clones we discussed recently. Original ideas may become rarer, but also more prized

Do you agree with Sakurai that originality will matter more in the AI era? And how do you find good games among thousands of releases?

Masahiro Sakurai Says As Ai Games Dominate Steam Developers Who Are Truly Creative Will Become Even More Importantwww.videogameschronicle.com

[UltimateWarrior]

The Ueda example is perfect. AI can copy what exists, but it cannot imagine what does not. That is the human advantage. Shadow of the Colossus still feels unique two decades later