Nintendo has firmly denied allegations that it employed AI-generated images for billboards within the highly anticipated game, Mario Kart World. The controversy erupted following a Nintendo Treehouse livestream that showcased the upcoming racing title, where sharp-eyed fans noticed peculiar in-game advertisements, including images of a construction site, a bridge, and an unusually tall car, leading to speculation about the use of AI in their creation.
It's common for pre-release games to feature temporary placeholder graphics, but Nintendo was quick to clarify that no AI-generated images were used in Mario Kart World's development. In a statement issued to Eurogamer, Nintendo asserted, "AI-generated images were not used in the development of Mario Kart World."
The debate over the use of generative AI in creative industries, including video game development, remains a hot topic. Concerns range from ethical and copyright issues to the potential displacement of jobs, prompting labor unions and game performers to call for greater protections against the technology's use.
Last September, Nintendo's legendary developer, Shigeru Miyamoto, expressed that the company prefers to take a "different direction" from the industry trend towards AI. While other industry leaders, such as EA CEO Andrew Wilson, have embraced AI as central to their operations—a stance that IGN has delved into—Miyamoto emphasized Nintendo's unique approach.
In an interview with The New York Times, Miyamoto highlighted AI as an example of where Nintendo diverges from its peers. "It might seem like we are just going the opposite direction for the sake of going in the opposite direction, but it really is trying to find what makes Nintendo special," he explained. He further added, "There is a lot of talk about A.I., for example. When that happens, everyone starts to go in the same direction, but that is where Nintendo would rather go in a different direction."
These comments follow those made by Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa in July, who acknowledged that generative AI can be utilized "in creative ways," yet also cautioned about potential issues with intellectual property rights. Furukawa stated, "We have decades of know-how in creating the best gaming experiences for our players. While we are open to utilizing technological developments, we will work to continue delivering value that is unique to Nintendo and cannot be created by technology alone."
Mario Kart World is a console exclusive for the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, which is set to launch on June 5. Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 began on April 24, maintaining a price of $449.99, and were met with the expected high demand. For more information, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.
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