Generative AI will account for half of game development in 5 to 10 years | Bain

14.09.2023 - 14:17 / venturebeat.com / Ai / Will

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Generative AI will grow from less than 5% of game development now to 50% or more in the next five to 10 years, according to a study by global consulting firm Bain & Company.

The research, titled “How will Generative AI Change the Video Game Industry,” surveyed 25 gaming executives globally and uncovered their perspectives on the impact of generative AI on the industry.

The survey found that a majority of respondents believe generative AI will enhance game quality and expedite game development. However, only 20% of executives believe that it will lead to reduced development costs.

Additionally, 60% of respondents do not anticipate generative AI to alleviate the talent shortage in the gaming industry significantly. The 60% figure is a big deal, as it could mean that generative AI won’t necessarily wipe out a ton of jobs, the executives believe.

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“Although most executives we spoke with believe generative AI may free developers from mundane work, they do not believe it will replace the creative spark necessary for game development, emphasizing the importance of human oversight,” said Andre James, global head of Bain’s Media & Entertainment practice in a statement. “Despite implementation challenges, most respondents expect generative AI will affect gaming in ways that are far greater than impacts felt by other technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and cloud gaming.”

A year ago, Bain & Company made bold predictions about the future of the video games industry. In a recent report, the global consultancy projected that the games industry would grow 50% to $300 billion in the next five years.

“While it’s an exciting time for the industry, games are growing in size and development costs are ballooning,” said Anders Christofferson, leading gaming expert and partner within Bain’s Media & Entertainment practice. “Enter generative AI, which, if harnessed properly, has incredible potential in addressing industry hurdles while at the same time provides capabilities that can benefit creators, publishers, and consumers.”

While executives acknowledged that generative AI could relieve developers from mundane tasks, they emphasized the importance of human creativity in game development. The executives highlighted that generative AI should be used as a