As AI continues to be shoehorned into game development with more regularity, Michał Nowakowski – joint CEO of Witcher 4 developers CD Projekt – has expressed that he “knows for a fact” games built purely with generative AI are on the way. However, he harbors doubts about whether this method is the ideal approach to game creation, alleviating concerns that beloved characters like Ciri might soon face off against hordes of AI-generated foes.
During a recent conversation, Nowakowski recalled an encounter with a founder of a primarily AI-based studio, who claimed to be capable of producing 40 prototypes in a week and launching complete games within just a few weeks. While this rapid development approach is notable, Nowakowski expressed skepticism regarding its sustainability and quality.
This conversation coincides with Epic Games’ unveiling of plans to integrate support for AI models such as Claude and Gemini into Unreal Engine 6, aimed at expediting the development process by reducing “tedious work.” Though this does not equate to generating an entire game from scratch, it highlights the evolving relationship between CD Projekt and Epic Games, with Nowakowski noting that CD Projekt may be uniquely positioned to experiment with Unreal Engine’s deeper functionalities.
Nonetheless, relying heavily on AI to generate game concepts presents its own challenges, particularly in terms of funding and quality assurance. As Rufus Kubica, external development director at 11 bit, pointed out, the uncertainty remains regarding whether developers can uphold the quality they promise if an AI generates their core propositions. Overpromising due to the reliance on AI can lead to significant risks in project funding and overall success.
Amidst the discussions of AI, Nowakowski emphasizes the value of a “lean and cheap” approach for studios aiming to survive in an increasingly competitive landscape. With a record number of games being launched annually, attention becomes a coveted asset. He posits that successful studios must remain agile and resourceful, especially medium-sized developers that may struggle to define their target audience effectively and manage their costs efficiently.
While CD Projekt is generally considered a strong entity within the industry, the company remains acutely aware of the importance of regaining audience trust following the tumultuous launch of Cyberpunk 2077. This notion continues to shape their development philosophy and approach as they work on projects like Witcher 4, demonstrating their commitment to delivering quality experiences to their players.
