Nintendo has firmly denied allegations that it used AI-generated images for billboards in the upcoming game, Mario Kart World. The controversy began after a Nintendo Treehouse livestream showcased the game, prompting fans to question the authenticity of certain in-game advertisements featuring odd images like a construction site, a bridge, and an unusually tall car.
While it's common for pre-release games to include placeholder graphics, Nintendo has made it clear that no AI-generated images were utilized in the development of Mario Kart World. In a statement to Eurogamer, the company emphasized, "AI-generated images were not used in the development of Mario Kart World."
The topic of generative AI is currently a hot button issue across creative industries, including video game development. Concerns range from ethical and copyright issues to the potential displacement of jobs, with labor unions and video game performers advocating for protections against AI use.
In September of last year, Shigeru Miyamoto, a legendary developer at Nintendo, expressed that the company prefers to take a "different direction" from the rest of the industry when it comes to AI. This stance contrasts with other companies like EA, where CEO Andrew Wilson has stated that AI is at the "very core of our business," a perspective further examined by IGN. Miyamoto highlighted Nintendo's unique approach in an interview with The New York Times, saying, "It might seem like we are just going the opposite direction for the sake of going in the opposite direction, but it really is trying to find what makes Nintendo special."
He elaborated, "There is a lot of talk about A.I., for example. When that happens, everyone starts to go in the same direction, but that is where Nintendo would rather go in a different direction."
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa also weighed in on the topic in July, acknowledging that generative AI can be used "in creative ways," but it also raises "issues with intellectual property rights." Furukawa reaffirmed Nintendo's commitment to its unique value, stating, "We have decades of know-how in creating the best gaming experiences for our players. While we are open to utilizing technological developments, we will work to continue delivering value that is unique to Nintendo and cannot be created by technology alone."
The eagerly awaited Nintendo Switch 2, for which Mario Kart World is a console exclusive, is scheduled to launch on June 5. Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449.99, opened on April 24 and were met with high demand. For more details, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.
