According to the management at PlayStation, though artificial intelligence (AI) may potentially change the world of gaming, it can never supplant the human creativity behind game development. Hermen Hulst, co-CEO of PlayStation, stated that AI will complement but not substitute the "human touch" that makes games unique.
AI and Human Creativity
Hulst shared this view on the 30th anniversary of the classic PlayStation at Sony. Referring to the growing role of AI, Hulst admitted that AI has the ability to handle repetitive tasks in game development. However, he reassured fans and creators that human-crafted experiences will always have a place in the market alongside AI-driven innovations. “Striking the right balance between leveraging AI and preserving the human touch is key, indeed,” he said.
Challenges and Successes in 2023
Sony’s year has been marked by both highs and lows. While the PlayStation 5 continues to perform well, the company faced numerous setbacks, including massive job cuts within the gaming industry and the failed launch of the highly anticipated game, Concord. The game resulted in players receiving refunds, and the studio behind it was shut down.
On the hardware side, Sony’s new model, the PlayStation 5 Pro, was heavily criticized for its steep £699.99 price point. However, the company had a major success with the surprise hit Astro Bot, which has received numerous Game of the Year nominations.
New Developments and Expanding Frontiers
Sony is also adapting to changes in how people play games. Its handheld device, the PlayStation Portal, is a controller/screen combination that lets users stream games from their PS5. Recently, Sony launched a beta program that enables cloud streaming directly onto the Portal, marking a shift toward more flexibility in gaming.
In addition to gaming, Sony aims to expand its influence in the entertainment industry by adapting games into films and series. Successful examples include The Last of Us and Uncharted, both based on PlayStation games. Hulst hopes to further elevate PlayStation’s intellectual properties through future projects like God of War, which is being developed as an Amazon Prime series.
Reflecting on 30 Years of PlayStation
Launched in December 1994, the PlayStation console has become a cultural phenomenon, with each of its four main predecessors ranking among the best-selling gaming systems in history. Hulst and his co-CEO Hideaki Nishino, who grew up gaming in different ways, both credit their early experiences with shaping their passion for the industry.
As PlayStation looks toward the future, it aims to maintain a delicate balance between innovation and tradition, ensuring that gaming endures as a creative, immersive medium.
