In a recent BBC interview, PlayStation CEO Hermen Hulst discussed the role of artificial intelligence in the future of game development, emphasizing the need to balance human creativity with AI-powered tools.
Hulst, formerly managing director of Guerrilla Games (Killzone, Horizon), believes that the demand for both AI-driven and handcrafted gaming experiences will coexist:
I suspect there will be a dual demand in gaming: one for AI-driven innovative experiences and another for handcrafted, thoughtful content. Striking the right balance between leveraging AI and preserving the human touch will be crucial.
While PlayStation hasn't announced specific AI initiatives for its games, Microsoft's Xbox has partnered with Inworld AI to develop Narrative Graph, an AI tool for creating branching narratives and character profiles.
PlayStation Productions and Entertainment Expansion
Hulst also touched on PlayStation Productions' ongoing efforts to adapt game franchises for film and television:
I am hoping to raise the PlayStation IP outside of just the gaming category and elevate it so it sits comfortably within the larger entertainment industry.
Sony has already released adaptations of Uncharted, Gran Turismo, The Last of Us, and Twisted Metal, with more projects based on franchises like Until Dawn, Ghost of Tsushima, Days Gone, Gravity Rush, and God of War in the pipeline.