"Generative AI is like a snake consuming its own tail," asserts Bruce Straley, co-director of The Last of Us, indicating that the term ‘AI’ is often misunderstood.
Straley, who departed from Naughty Dog in 2017 to establish his own independent studio, Wildflower Interactive, shared his critical views on generative AI during an interview with Polygon about his studio's first game, Coven of the Chicken Foot. He expressed a strong aversion to generative AI, stating, "It’s a snake eating its own tail. It lacks the ability to grow and think independently; it merely reproduces what it has already processed. That’s the extent of its capabilities at this moment."
He clarified that generative AI was not involved in the development of Coven of the Chicken Foot. However, he pointed out a significant shift in the meaning of the term ‘AI’ within the gaming industry over the years, which has led to confusion between traditional AI and modern generative AI technologies.
Straley elaborated, "Explaining the concept of our character is challenging because in my context, NPCs are considered AI. Programmers specializing in AI are an essential part of our development team. But now, if I refer to our creature as a cutting-edge AI companion, people might mistakenly assume we utilized machine learning or large language models. In reality, we relied on hard work, innovative problem-solving, and creative thinking, which I believe adds to its charm."
He expressed a fondness for art that showcases imperfections, comparing it to pottery that displays flaws due to an imperfect firing process. "Those imperfections are what make art special," he noted.
While Straley acknowledged that generative AI might have its uses in certain contexts, he personally sees no value in it for storytelling or art. "I wouldn’t want to watch a television show created by a robot; I have no interest in art produced by a computer. To me, prompting does not qualify as art," he asserted.
These comments come at a time when discussions about AI in gaming are particularly heated. Larian Studios' CEO, Swen Vincke, recently revealed in an interview with Bloomberg that they utilize generative AI during development. This announcement sparked backlash on social media, prompting Vincke to clarify that while AI tools are used to assist in exploring references, human concept artists will not be replaced. He emphasized that developers can opt to use these tools to simplify their workflow if they choose.
The immediate and passionate responses to Vincke's remarks highlight the contentious nature surrounding the integration of AI in creative fields.
Coven of the Chicken Foot was recently showcased at The Game Awards, where audiences got a glimpse of everything that was announced.
