Almost 86% of Japanese game developers are using AI in their workflows, up from 51% in 2025

[DragonSlayer101]

In context: With AI coding assistants becoming an integral part of the software development process for professional programmers, many video game devs are reportedly using generative AI regularly in their workflows. A new report released at the 2026 Tokyo Game Show reveals just how widespread the practice has become.

According to a survey conducted by the Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association (CESA), there has been a massive surge in AI adoption among video game developers in Japan, with 85.8% of respondents reporting that they use generative AI as part of their game development process. While 63% of surveyed developers said they use AI tools daily, 22.8% said they use them only occasionally.

The survey results indicate that generative AI usage in the Japanese video game industry has increased by more than 70% since last year, when 51% of surveyed developers reported using AI in their workflows either regularly or occasionally.

The findings also point to a broader trend of AI adoption among software engineers across industries, reinforcing the growing belief that AI tools have become an increasingly important part of efficient app and game development.

It is worth noting that CESA has only released a preview version of the full survey, with the detailed report scheduled to be published in December. While the preview does not reveal exactly how developers are incorporating AI into their workflows, the most commonly cited benefits include "improved operational efficiency and productivity," followed by "shorter development cycles" and "reduced development and operational costs."

Almost all respondents denied using AI-generated output in their code, saying the tools are largely restricted to debugging, error correction, and automated testing. They added that all AI usage is "confirmed, modified, and supervised" by human developers to prevent abuse. The studios also reportedly restrict which AI tools can be used and how extensively, ensuring that humans remain responsible for creative decisions and final quality assessments.

The survey was conducted earlier this year among developers at Capcom, Sega, Level-5, Konami, Square Enix, Koei Tecmo, Sony, and other CESA member companies. In a statement, CESA Executive Director Tsutomu Masuda noted that this year's report highlights the increasing use of generative AI in development environments but cautioned that the adoption of new technologies must not compromise intellectual property rights.

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Almost 86% of Japanese game developers are using AI in their workflows, up from 51% in 2025

 

[toktik]

So, it's Ai who decided no physical discs for PlayStation?

 

[Squid Surprise]

Shocking… except… not shocking… although people complain about AI because they don’t understand (and therefore fear) it, the people “in the know” are using it to make their jobs and lives easier.

 

[NumberNine]

They're using machine learning algos and large language models running on neural networks for code analysis and bug hunting, if their words are true. Either way, none of this consitutes an actual artificial intelligence. I'm just here to push back against marketing's relentless abuse of the english language.

 

[m4a4]

They're using machine learning algos and large language models running on neural networks for code analysis and bug hunting, if their words are true. Either way, none of this consitutes an actual artificial intelligence. I'm just here to push back against marketing's relentless abuse of the english language.

Yeah, nothing modern is true AI (which makes it annoying to hear people act like it might be).

We just use upgraded helper tools that got branded as AI. Most of the time it autocompletes little bits of my code properly, but it still doesn't get it right all the time.

 

[Jarenien]

AI should be used in code creation unless you're an effin' id1ot (this is not a bad word, dumb dumbs). All it does is give you the groundwork for code that you know how to make, but that is timely af to create, which saves you a ton of time. I use it so much in my job and saves me 100's of hours of my own time, so it's not like it's making others lose their job, it's just making my life suck less.

 

[pnntmp]

Benefits include improved efficiency, shorter development cycles, and reduced costs

Well .. true.
We should probably mention that these benefits are clearly visible in every industry, everywhere - not just in game development in Japan.
But let's ban datacenters and stop AI development anyway, just in case .. to soothe the hysterical hypochondriacs.

 

[dangh]

I use llm's a lot, it is a great tool. There is only one rule: if I can't understand fully the code created, I have to change it. I need to ensure I am the owner, otherwise I will be only creating unmanageable blobs and wont be able to validate the quality, performance and maintainability.
For small studios, llm are a great help as long, as they have a real vision. It is a great rubber duck, and huge help in bootstrapping. And making all the repetitive and boring work. We are not going back. Next generation will not be able to correctly write a c++ code same way I am unable to punch holes in cards to program ancient computers. The only thing is, the llms needs to be runable at home, with reasonable resources, and that is already happening.