PlayStation’s Hermen Hulst discusses AI in gaming, stressing the irreplaceable value of “human touch” while reflecting on Sony’s recent successes and challenges.
PlayStation is celebrating its 30th anniversary amid a whirlwind of success and challenges. On the one hand, Astro Bot has been a massive triumph, earning rave reviews and several nominations at this year’s The Game Awards.
However, not all has gone smoothly. The highly anticipated Concord fell short of expectations, leading to refunds for disappointed players and the eventual closure of its developer, Firewalk Studios.
Now, PlayStation CEOs Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino discussed the company’s direction and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of gaming.
Hermen Hulst on AI’s Role in Video Games
In an interview with the BCC, Hulst addressed the growing presence of AI in game development, acknowledging its transformative potential. But he made it clear that technology won’t replace human creativity.
“I suspect there will be a dual demand in gaming: one for AI-driven innovative experiences and another for handcrafted, thoughtful content,” he said. “Striking the right balance between leveraging AI and preserving the human touch will be crucial.”
The rise of AI has sparked concerns across the gaming industry, with some worried it might replace creative roles, including developers and voice actors.
Hulst’s statement seems to reassure that PlayStation values the artistry behind its games and sees AI as a tool rather than a replacement.
The CEOs also touched on other aspects of PlayStation’s strategy. Nishino highlighted the success of the handheld PlayStation Portal, noting its potential to reshape how players experience games through innovations like Cloud streaming.
“Recently, we just announced a beta programme… allowing Cloud streaming directly to the handheld,” Nishino said. “We’re always exploring various options for how players can play games.”
Interestingly, recent reports indicate that Sony is developing a new handheld PlayStation console inspired by the PlayStation Portable. This claim has been backed by another insider, increasing speculation around the project.
