Square Enix’s Foamstars Team Shooter to Feature AI-Generated Art
Square Enix’s upcoming team shooter, Foamstars, will incorporate a small amount of AI-generated art, according to the game’s producer, Kosuke Okatani. Although the majority of the game has been crafted by hand, the development team has “dabbled” with AI program Midjourney in order to experiment with the technology. The use of AI-generated art in the game is estimated to make up less than 0.01 percent of the overall content.
Majority of Foamstars Crafted by Hand, says Producer Kosuke Okatani
Despite incorporating AI-generated art, Okatani emphasizes that all of the core elements in Foamstars, including the core gameplay, have been meticulously handmade by the development team. The game’s enjoyment factor was the result of careful craftsmanship rather than relying solely on AI technology. This commitment to crafting a high-quality experience suggests that Foamstars will provide players with a unique and personalized gaming experience.
Square Enix Experiments with AI Technology in Foamstars
Square Enix’s decision to include AI-generated art in Foamstars can be seen as part of the company’s ongoing experimentation with AI technology. While the majority of the game’s content is handcrafted, the team saw an opportunity to explore the potential of AI in the creation of in-game album covers for the music featured in the Foamstars soundtrack. By using the AI tool Midjourney, the development team produced abstract images that were ultimately chosen as the final album covers, showcasing the flexibility and creativity of AI technology.
AI Used for In-Game Album Covers in Foamstars Soundtrack
In a separate statement, Square Enix confirmed that AI was used in the creation of the in-game album covers for the Foamstars soundtrack. By providing simple prompts to the AI program Midjourney, the team was able to generate abstract images that were used as album covers. However, it is important to note that everything else in the game was created entirely by the talented development team at Square Enix. This limited but purposeful use of AI highlights the company’s commitment to integrating new technologies while still valuing the expertise and creativity of human developers.
Square Enix CEO Promises Aggressive Application of AI
Square Enix’s incorporation of AI in Foamstars aligns with the company’s broader vision for utilizing AI in its game development processes. In his annual new year letter, CEO Takashi Kiryu expressed a desire to be “aggressive in applying AI” and acknowledged the potential of AI to reshape and revolutionize creative processes. While Square Enix’s experiments with AI are exciting and promising, there are still concerns within the industry about the implications and ethical considerations surrounding AI implementation. It remains to be seen how Square Enix and other game developers will navigate these challenges while leveraging the benefits of AI technology.
This announcement about Foamstars adds further anticipation to the game’s release, and players can expect a mix of handmade elements and AI-generated art when they immerse themselves in the team shooter. With Square Enix’s commitment to crafting enjoyable gameplay experiences and their exploration of AI technology, Foamstars has the potential to be an innovative and captivating addition to the team shooter genre.
Analyst comment
Positive news. The market can expect an innovative and captivating addition to the team shooter genre. Square Enix’s commitment to craftsmanship and exploration of AI technology will provide a unique and personalized gaming experience, creating anticipation for the game’s release.
