I have a serious questions about AI and game development as a game artist or game designer. This questions is not for game programmers really but I’m open to game programmers joining the discussion. I’ve been questioning the ethics of AI use for game development with the topic of using AI tools like Claude, Epic Games Developer Assistant, or ChatGPT for example for helping with game programming in C++ or getting started with certain system design, etc.
While I don’t think it’s ethical at all for game developers to be losing their jobs to AI at all. Especially artist. I don’t think AI can replace artist, designer, or programmers.
However, my question is when is it ethical? When it is used in AAA gaming industry? How is it actually being used? What are your thoughts on this?
The reason I ask is because I have this mixed feelings of imposer syndrome, guilt, but also trying to break the barrier of entry to getting my first job in the gaming industry. I’m a game designer. I have a degree in 3D art and design focusing on game design. I’m struggling to build my game designer portfolio or game projects without using AI chatbot to help with programming because I’m not a programmer but I absolutely hate blueprint. I do understand C++ but when it starts to get complex or a full-time aspect of my project, I get overwhelmed. I need to focus on game design, not art or programming for my portfolio to get hired. I can totally do some retro ps1 graphic art or more AAA environment art if I wanted to. I’m more of a writer, narrative designer and gameplay designer if you want to know specifically what in game design I’m interested in. I’m still figuring that out. The biggest barrier for me is super technical stuff like programming or AI (like NPC or combat design).
It frustrates me because I know I can be a valuable part of any game studio team but all these requirements for entry level positions is out of hand and insane. It got so depressing that if I go on LinkedIn, which I have over 500+ connections with other game developers, it’s all just grim news about how toxic the industry is and how it’s impossible to get in. So I stopped going on LinkedIn because it’s too depressing.