During the Gamescom Latam event, a panel discussion was held regarding the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the gaming industry. Participants noted that the use of AI in games is an irreversible process. However, professional opinions are divided: some see AI as the greatest revolution in gaming history, while others view it as a direct threat to creative jobs.
Although AI's most noticeable impact is on the visual aspect, such as creating concept art, which used to take weeks but is now generated by AI in seconds, this art only serves as a starting point for the artist's work. There are many other ways AI can be used to accelerate the development process.
Currently, AI is effectively used as a tool for prototyping and the initial stage of a project, helping to determine the correctness of the initial idea. The author notes that with the 'Vibe Coding' method, it is possible to recreate well-known games like Minecraft without writing a single line of code. 'Vibe Coding' is a term describing software development using AI, where the programmer describes the desired outcome in natural language, and the AI generates the necessary code or algorithm.
It is important to understand that the developer's tasks remain relevant: they must create character behavior, make them run or jump, and invent and draw enemies. The fundamental idea of the game must be created by a human. Subsequently, the developer must coordinate one or more AI systems to achieve the initial result, which then requires refinement and completion.
The biggest risk may not be the replacement of developers, but rather market oversaturation with games that exceeds consumer capacity. For example, only 21,406 games were released on the Steam platform in 2025, indicating annual growth since 2014, excluding 2019. The huge volume of offerings means that many high-quality titles remain unnoticed. The emergence of AI will lead to digital stores being flooded with 'shovelware'—low-quality games created in large volumes, making quality games increasingly inaccessible or dependent on massive marketing campaigns.
AI affects not only game development but also the labor market as a whole. A wave of layoffs is already observed not only in large non-gaming companies like Meta, which cut 8,000 employees, but also in gaming companies, including Epic, which laid off 1,000 people, and XBOX, which, together with Microsoft, laid off 4,800 employees. In the case of Microsoft, the layoffs resulted from a combination of factors: company restructuring, studio sales, shift in investment focus, and attempts to reduce management levels, as well as the growing shadow of AI, which has become a catalyst for reductions. The author believes that such developments are inevitable for industries such as music, literature, film, and painting.
Most likely, the future belongs to those developers who learn to work with AI. Reality lies between extremes, where some see the technology as a threat, and others as a magical solution. AI will remain part of the industry, and its influence will grow. The question is no longer whether it will enter the industry, but what role humans will play. After all, art and entertainment are forms of human self-expression. Regardless of whether AI can create any existing mechanic or something new, successful and memorable games always possess something more than just an interesting gameplay mechanic; they stand out because of the story told in conjunction with engaging mechanics, which is the most human part of any creativity.
Following discussions with specialists at Gamescom Latam, it became clear: the use of AI in games is a path with no return. It is unknown exactly how we will use this technology. It could promote the democratization of game creation, increase productivity, and enable previously impossible experiences. Or it could lead to even greater saturation and depersonalization of the market. Like any powerful technology, the impact of AI will depend less on the technology itself and more on the people who use it.
