As AI tools become commonplace in game development, industry observers are split on how enthusiastically game makers should be embracing the new tech.
The role of AI in game development — and exactly how rapidly developers should be diving into the opportunity — was the focus of a debate session at GamesBeat Crossfire, our event in San Francisco during the week of GDC Festival of Gaming on Tuesday, March 10. Moderated by GamesBeat editorial director Dean Takahashi, the AI-focused debate featured the perspectives of 10six Games co-founder Susan Cummings and CleanPlay founder Rich Hilleman.
Cummings and Hilleman both acknowledged that Pandora’s Box has already been opened when it comes to AI in game development. AI tech is going to be an element of development moving forward, whether game makers like it or not. However, the speakers disagreed about how much game developers should be adopting AI in 2026, with Cummings voicing more enthusiasm about the opportunity and Hilleman playing the role of skeptic.
Although Cummings made it clear that her company certainly plans to keep human creativity front and center in its process — ”we don’t think AI can make games” — she acknowledged the efficiency gains her team had achieved by training AI tools within the company’s human-made internal systems.
Hilleman’s skepticism around AI in games was not primarily rooted in wariness around the efficiency gains created by the emerging technology: “We do believe that it will give us leverage and help portions of the business,” he said. Instead, he said that he was concerned about pushback against AI technology by consumers and rank-and-file gamers. With Steam requiring developers to disclose their use of generative AI and layoffs mounting across the industry, using AI technology to save time and money might not yet be worth the negative attention that AI use could attract from some corners of the gaming community.
Stay tuned today, tomorrow and Monday for more recap coverage of GDC and GamesBeat Crossfire.