Konami President Says AI Cannot Replace Game Developers

Konami President Says AI Cannot Replace Game Developers


Konami Digital Entertainment president Hideki Hayakawa believes artificial intelligence will not fundamentally transform the gaming industry, arguing that human creativity and collaboration remain essential to developing innovative games.

In Konami's official Integrated Report 2026, published on October 15, Hayakawa discussed the growing use of AI in game development and its potential impact on the industry.

He acknowledged that AI could improve production efficiency and make certain development tasks easier. However, he questioned whether the technology would significantly change the overall gaming market.

Hayakawa explained that modern game engines and user-generated content platforms have already made game development more accessible, reducing many of the barriers that previously prevented smaller creators from entering the industry.

According to the Konami executive, creating entertaining and original games still depends on talented developers working together and exchanging ideas.

He emphasized that collaboration between people with different backgrounds can produce unexpected creative results that technology cannot easily reproduce.

Despite his cautious outlook, Hayakawa does not oppose the use of AI in game development.

Konami considers emerging technologies an opportunity to explore new gameplay experiences and improve production processes, provided developers understand their capabilities and potential risks.

The company also offers organizational support to help its creative teams evaluate and use new technologies responsibly.

Hayakawa's comments come as Konami continues investing in major franchises, including Silent Hill and Metal Gear Solid, while emphasizing the importance of experienced development teams.

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