Cygames Responds to AI Studio Controversy and Reveals Internal Policies

The reaction was not what was expected. When Cygames announced the creation of its subsidiary Cygames AI Studio last month, the response from fans was one of discontent and concern. This week, the company has decided to directly address those concerns with a statement that seeks to draw a clear line regarding the use of artificial intelligence in its productions.

A Commitment to Manual Creation

Cygames acknowledges that its initial announcement did not address "any of the current issues and social debates surrounding generative AI." Therefore, it now emphasizes something fundamental: the art for all its current games and other products is created from the technical knowledge and manual work of its numerous employees. There are no shortcuts in its creative process.

The company goes further by assuring that it does not use art produced by generative AI in its current products. Furthermore, it establishes a promise: "we will not implement generative AI in our products without prior notice." It is a statement that seeks to restore trust with a fanbase that deeply values artisanal work.

The Limits Set by CyberAgent

Cygames' parent company, CyberAgent, had already established internal guidelines in April 2024 for the use of generative AI and large language models. These guidelines are strict and detailed, designed to avoid copyright violations and recognize the current limitations of the technology.

Internal creators are prohibited from entering personal or confidential information into AI tools, or using them to generate content similar to existing works. They also cannot use prompts that include names of other works, creators, or celebrities. Perhaps most importantly: it is forbidden to upload copyrighted works as part of the learning model without the express permission of the rights holder.

The guidelines emphasize that AI-generated images should not be treated as a final product, but as a starting point that requires "as many adjustments and modifications as necessary." Creators must verify if the results resemble other works and be aware of how AI can generate overly similar content.

The Vision Behind the AI Studio

Founded in December, Cygames AI Studio is headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, under the leadership of CEO Eitoshi Ashihara. Its stated goal is to research, develop, and provide safe and efficient access to AI technology for game creators, showing "the industry what creative minds can do" with these tools.

This initiative does not come out of nowhere. CyberAgent established its AI Lab group in 2016, debuted its first Japanese-based large language model in May 2023, and created AI-focused business units for game development and animation production in October of the same year.

For Cygames, which has produced titles such as Uma Musume Pretty Derby, Rage of Bahamut, and Granblue Fantasy, the balance between technological innovation and the preservation of manual art seems to be the way forward. Its global expansion, with branches in South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, London, and Singapore, suggests that this discussion about AI will have echoes in multiple markets.

The company founded in 2011 by Yuito Kimura and President Koichi Watanabe now faces the challenge of navigating between the potential of new technologies and the expectations of a community that values creative authenticity. Their response suggests they understand that in the world of interactive entertainment, public trust is an asset as valuable as any technological innovation.