Square Enix has chosen to embark on a new and intriguing AI project following their venture into the world of NFTs, as disclosed by the company’s new leader, Takashi Kiryu, in a message to the team.
Kiryu highlights the potential of generative AI to revolutionize creative processes, including programming, and reshape existing outputs. This notion is supported by the idea that AI technologies could aid artists, writers, and programmers in subtle yet significant ways, diverging from the lofty concept of “democratizing art” advocated by some enthusiasts.
An interesting comparison can be drawn to the 2018 film “Into the Spiderverse,” known for its artistic brilliance and innovative 3D graphics. The film notably reduced workload hours by utilizing advanced software to simplify the laborious task of creating comic-style illustrations.
Likewise, the concept of an internal AI generating multiple concepts in the studio’s unique style for artists to reinterpret manually, similar to how concept artists use reference images for inspiration, seems genuinely advantageous. While AI-generated code is valuable, it could serve as an excellent initial draft for experienced programmers, particularly given the advancing technological landscape.
However, these practical applications of AI primarily arise from industries emphasizing production efficiency, rather than being a groundbreaking solution enabling boundless content creation at no cost. Kiryu expresses the company’s proactive approach to integrating AI and cutting-edge technologies into publishing and content creation processes to boost operational efficiency and enhance marketing strategies, ultimately seeking to broaden content offerings for consumers.
Nonetheless, the excitement surrounding new technologies often leads to excessive reliance and subsequent disillusionment when expectations are unmet, as evidenced by Square Enix’s previous venture into NFTs. Despite the ambitious Symbiogenesis NFT project aiming to leverage unconventional gaming technologies, its success remains uncertain, prompting concerns about the company’s track record with emerging technologies.
Kiryu underscores the ongoing significance of Web3 technology, emphasizing Square Enix’s strategic focus on three key areas: blockchain entertainment/Web 3.0, AI, and cloud services. To support these endeavors, the company has reorganized its structure and optimized resource allocation accordingly.
While Square Enix’s flagship title, Final Fantasy 14, remains unaffected by these technological pursuits, with game director Naoki “Yoshi P” Yoshida confirming no intention to inundate the game with new characters, the approach to integrating AI systems into the gaming landscape remains unclear.
