According to Tommy Huttula, co-founder of Cosmic Lounge, his studio has developed a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can complete game prototype designs in "five to six hours" at the 2024 Think Games conference.

In his speech, Huttula stated, "Yes, AI is changing the way games are developed and is an important part of the future of game development. My advice to all of you is to prepare your teams and technology for AI."

Huttula showcased Cosmic Lounge's internal tool, Puzzle Engine, which uses dropdown menus and prompts to create various game elements, from puzzle engines and game logic to art design and levels. He demonstrated the puzzle game prototype "Angry Dev" created using Puzzle Engine in five to six hours.

"Creative people have many game ideas. Of course, the challenge has always been: how do you know if your idea is good?" Huttula said. "Usually in companies, designers have an idea, but they need artists and engineers to try it out. So we want designers to be able to easily propose ideas and create prototypes using Puzzle Engine without the need for artists or engineers."

Huttula described how Cosmic Lounge's technology generates a large number of levels and tests them. It can provide feedback on important issues such as difficulty, potential drop-off points, and even potential profit areas. The studio only has two human designers who can edit and adjust based on AI feedback.

Generative AI in the Wave of Layoffs

"We believe that AI is not doing anyone's job," Huttula said. "It's not about replacing someone... We believe that AI helps team members do their work better, increase productivity, and achieve better results."

However, this may not be a shared position among many game developers. Despite soaring profits, the game industry has been plagued by layoffs for most of its history. Hearing phrases like "AI is generating and testing levels" and "AI is not taking away any jobs" in the same speech can be uncomfortable. The game industry is struggling to cope with the impact of generative AI, and with big company bosses like Square Enix President Taku Murata and EA CEO Andrew Wilson joining the AI hype, the industry's mood is becoming tense and uneasy.

Valve has introduced a new process for developers to disclose how they use AI in their games. Some users on the X platform have expressed their concerns, with one user stating that they will not touch any game made using generative AI. This is a complex and multifaceted issue that the game industry will continue to face in the coming months or even years.