Konami CEO downplays AI's impact on game development, cites human chemistry

Konami Digital Entertainment president Hideki Hayakawa downplays generative AI's impact on game development. He argues engine advances and UGC already lowered entry barriers before AI arrived. Hayakawa says human creative chemistry among developers remains the key innovation driver. Konami will still support creators in safely adopting new AI technologies.

Hayakawa ties AI's limited disruption to prior engine and UGC shifts
Hayakawa argues generative AI will not significantly change the games market.
He credits generic game engines and UGC for already lowering entry barriers.
Even AI-driven efficiency gains, in his view, do not reset this competitive baseline.
"Entry barriers have already been lowered by the advancements of generic game engines and the spread of UGC." - Hideki Hayakawa, President, Konami Digital Entertainment

Hayakawa anchors innovation in creative team chemistry
Hayakawa calls people and creators the most important factor in making innovative games.
He credits chemistry between development teams for generating new gameplay ideas.
This framing treats AI as a support tool assisting creators' creative process.
"That kind of chemical reaction is not something that can be easily replaced." - Hideki Hayakawa, President, Konami Digital Entertainment

Konami positions itself as a risk manager for creator AI adoption
Hayakawa calls technological advancement a significant opportunity for new kinds of game experiences.
Konami says it gives creators systematic support to assess AI's risks before use.
This positions Konami as a gatekeeper setting internal guardrails for new AI technologies.

Konami's outsourcing model tests the human-chemistry thesis against production economics
Konami's AAA revival leans on external studios for key franchise development.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is developed by Evil Empire and Motion Twin.
Silent Hill producer Motoi Okamoto wants an annual release cadence for the franchise.
"Our aim is to, hopefully, have an annual release of new games." - Motoi Okamoto, Franchise Producer, Silent Hill
What this means
For Investors & VC: Lengthen sales-cycle assumptions for AI-tool startups that target risk-gated Japanese AAA publishers.
For Service Vendors: Pitch long-term co-dev squads to this publisher, leading with team continuity over AI-driven savings.