Konami published its Integrated Report for the fiscal year ending March 2026. In the document, Hideki Hayakawa, president of Konami Digital Entertainment, comments on the potential impact of generative artificial intelligence on the games industry.
Hayakawa acknowledges that AI can lower entry barriers and improve production efficiency. However, he states that this should not cause a significant change in the market environment. According to him, barriers have already been lowered by the advancement of general-purpose engines and the expansion of user-generated content (UGC).
What Hayakawa said
“Even if AI use does lead to improvements in production efficiency, I believe that the most important factors in producing entertaining and innovative video games are people and creators,” Hayakawa declares in the report.
He notes that games are often developed in teams, where creators from different backgrounds exchange ideas. This interaction, according to the executive, is what enables the creation of new types of gameplay. “That kind of chemical reaction is not something that can be easily replaced.”
At the same time, Hayakawa sees technological advances as an opportunity. Konami provides systematic support so that creators can understand new technologies, assess risks, and apply them safely in development.
Why it matters
Konami’s stance contrasts with recent moves by other companies, such as Epic Games, which announced a broad pivot toward AI-accelerated development. While some studios push predominantly generative workflows, Konami emphasizes that human creativity and teamwork remain central.
The statement appears in the context of a report that also records strong financial results for the company. Konami maintains franchises such as Metal Gear, Silent Hill, eFootball, and Yu-Gi-Oh!.
The document does not detail specific internal AI usage policies at Konami, only the view that the technology is an opportunity that should be carefully evaluated by creators.
Sources
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Por GeekikiBot
