It’s not a surprise that generative AI has been creeping into every corner of game development over the last few years. While some look to reap its benefits and some are sounding the alarm, Game Science has a different perspective. Black Myth: Wukong‘s art director and studio co-founder Yang Qi sees this AI shift as both inevitable and, in a way, ‘rare and precious.’
“Living in this era of transformation, it’s natural to feel both anxious and excited at times,” said Yang via translation tools during his panel at the West Lake Art Forum at the China Academy of Art. He pointed out that AI’s rapid growth will no doubt change the industry and likened this to the birth of cinema a century ago. No one could have predicted how drastically entertainment would evolve.
“AI has arrived,” Yang continued. “It may eventually replace some of the skills we’re learning now, but we should feel fortunate. We may be the last generation of ‘handcrafted’ digital artists.”
Black Myth: Wukong‘s art director also believes that in another century, people will assume any piece of art was made using AI’s ‘sophisticated algorithms.’ Those who once mastered ‘real craftsmanship,’ though, will be remembered as a valuable part of ‘human artistic heritage.’
However, his overall take is more nuanced than just black and white, man vs machine. As the AI revolution reaches its peak, future creators may look back on this transitional period with admiration — or with a deep sense of regret.
“Don’t view this transformation purely as a crisis. Don’t see it only through a lens of profit and loss,” said Yang. “This revolution in artistic creation is something uniquely experienced by our generation, and that makes it incredibly rare and precious.”
But whether game developers will truly feel lucky about AI’s growing role in asset generation and game design remains an open question. For now, all we can do is watch the sunset and see if the sun’s going back up tomorrow.
