Key Takeaways
- Embark Studios is not using AI to reduce investment in human employees
- The company’s use of AI is intended to enhance game development and player experience
- AI is used to automate tedious tasks, allowing developers to focus on more creative and high-value work
- Embark Studios has seen success with its AI-assisted game development, including the popular extraction shooter Arc Raiders
- The company’s CEO, Patrick Söderlund, emphasizes that game development is a "people industry" that will always require human talent and creativity
Introduction to Embark Studios’ AI Use
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in game development has been a topic of controversy, with some critics arguing that it could replace human developers and lead to job losses. However, according to Patrick Söderlund, CEO and founder of Swedish developer Embark Studios, this is not the case. In an interview with GamesBeat, Söderlund emphasized that Embark Studios is not using AI as a means of reducing its investment in people. Instead, the company is using AI to enhance game development and player experience. As Söderlund noted, "We don’t use artificial intelligence to not have to hire people or replace people or job groups. That’s not the point."
The Role of AI in Game Development
Söderlund explained that Embark Studios uses AI to automate tedious and time-consuming tasks, allowing developers to focus on more creative and high-value work. For example, the company uses AI-generated voices to update games quickly, rather than waiting for human voice actors to record new lines. This approach has allowed Embark Studios to release games like Arc Raiders, which became the "most successful global launch" in the company’s history. As Söderlund said, "People need to take a step back and look at this and understand what it is and what it can do. It can be a tremendous help to developers and a tremendous benefit to players." By leveraging AI in this way, Embark Studios is able to create more engaging and dynamic games, while also reducing the workload for human developers.
The Importance of Human Talent
Despite the potential benefits of AI, Söderlund emphasized that game development is a "people industry" that will always require human talent and creativity. As he noted, "I realize it’s an intricate subject and discussion, but at the same time, it’s never been about replacing people. It’s been about making tedious, sometimes boring, parts of work disappear or be much faster. It’s about putting people’s time where it really makes sense." This approach is evident in Embark Studios’ continued support for its free-to-play shooter, The Finals, which has received weekly updates since its launch. As Söderlund said, "We could not have built the games that we’ve built or service the games that we’ve done… without some help from artificial intelligence, but obviously, most importantly through, smart investment in tools and pipelines, technology, and incredible people."
The Future of Game Development
As the game development industry continues to evolve, it’s likely that AI will play an increasingly important role. However, as Söderlund emphasized, this does not mean that human developers will become obsolete. Instead, AI will likely augment human talent, allowing developers to focus on more creative and high-value work. As Söderlund noted, "This is a people industry. It’s going to be a people industry. I don’t envision games being done automatically by some artificial intelligence. That is not how I look at it." By embracing the potential of AI, while also recognizing the importance of human talent, Embark Studios is well-positioned to continue creating innovative and engaging games that delight players around the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Embark Studios’ use of AI is not intended to replace human developers, but rather to enhance game development and player experience. By leveraging AI to automate tedious tasks, the company is able to create more engaging and dynamic games, while also reducing the workload for human developers. As Söderlund emphasized, game development is a "people industry" that will always require human talent and creativity. By recognizing the potential benefits of AI, while also acknowledging the importance of human developers, Embark Studios is poised for continued success in the game development industry. As Söderlund said, "It can be a tremendous help to developers and a tremendous benefit to players."
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/embark-boss-insists-studio-isnt-using-ai-to-replace-people-in-arc-raiders-development