Japan is about to give its highest cultural honor to the man who defined video games. Next month, Shigeru Miyamoto — the creator of Mario, Link, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, and Fox McCloud — becomes the first ever video game developer to be awarded the Order of Culture by the Emperor of Japan, as Eurogamer calls it, “a hugely prestigious honour.” Every year on Culture Day, the Japanese government honors people on behalf of the Emperor whose cultural contributions have had a major impact on shaping the national image of the country. This year, Nintendo’s representative director was recognized for his contributions to gaming.
Miyamoto marked the announcement with a public press conference, transcribed by Denfaminico Gamer and translated by VGC, in which the 73-year-old reflected on the evolution of the games industry over the past 50 years — and on what generative AI means for its future.
The Typewriter Lesson
His argument starts, of all places, with typewriters. “Our generation lived through a period of rapid computer development — a time when tools were constantly evolving, moving from typewriters to word processors,” Miyamoto said. In the typewriter days, simply copying text neatly onto posters made you a designer; as computers evolved and tools could take care of technical aspects, “more individual, personal design abilities, such as a true understanding of layout, came to the forefront.” His conclusion: a similar transition may take place with generative AI, as the technology absorbs more of what he calls “labor.”
But he sees a trap in that. “While the act of creation is inherently satisfying, there’s a danger: one might find satisfaction in the labor itself and mistakenly believe that a high-quality piece of work has been created,” Miyamoto warned. Looking back at designs “created merely by copying and pasting,” he noted that “such work rarely stands the test of time; it lacks the individual’s particular design intention.”
His bottom line, though, is optimistic: if generative AI replaces more of the tasks involved in game production, human developers might have “an opportunity to reflect on what’s really important.” And the quote that’s making the rounds: “Because the process relies on an individual’s intent, with the computer serving as an assistant for the labor, I believe that even as technology continues to evolve, and even if AI were to eventually handle everything, there will always be a role left for us to play.”
He Might Not Be Done Making Games, Either
These days Miyamoto is more focused on seeing his creations succeed beyond gaming — in movies, theme parks like Super Nintendo World, and other adaptations. But in the same conversations, he left the door open to a return. “I don’t know what the future holds (laughs). Right now I’m engrossed in filmmaking, working with professionals, but I also want to see how far I can go on my own. And in the process, I might try making something like a game again,” he said. In the spirit of originality, he added he’s considering doing something Nintendo doesn’t usually do — something that would surprise even the company’s own employees.
A Split Industry
Miyamoto’s framing is more measured than that of his peers. Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai recently argued gen-AI will cause a surge of unoriginal and unprofitable games, though it won’t be able to replicate human creativity. Nintendo itself hasn’t ruled out gen-AI tools, but former Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser insisted the company’s games would retain a “human touch.” Meanwhile Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu has said his company would be “aggressive in applying AI,” and Sega, Capcom, Level-5, and Epic Games have all admitted to using gen-AI in some form. As the industry argues about what machines should do, its most decorated creator just received a national order for what only humans have.
Sources
- Eurogamer — Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto says even if gen-AI “were to eventually handle everything, there will always be a role left” for human designers
- Kotaku — Shigeru Miyamoto Doesn’t Know If AI Can Take Over Creativity, But Says It Could Be An ‘Opportunity’ To Define What It Means To Create
- Insider Gaming — Shigeru Miyamoto May Make Another Game, Despite Film Focus