Hyung-tae Kim, CEO of Shift Up and director of Stellar Blade, has publicly defended using generative AI, arguing that it’s important for South Korean recreation studios to compete with the workforce scale of Chinese language and Western builders.
In accordance with Kim, adopting generative AI may permit studios to do extra with smaller groups, serving to Korea stay aggressive in a world market more and more dominated by firms with far bigger labor swimming pools.
Why Shift Up Believes AI Is Key to Staying Aggressive
Kim made these remarks throughout a speech on January 9, attended by Lee Jae-myung, different authorities officers, and distinguished figures from South Korea’s recreation business. His feedback, translated by Automaton and reported by GameMeca, emphasised the rising imbalance in improvement assets.
“We sometimes assign round 150 folks to a single recreation, whereas China deploys between 1,000 and a couple of,000,” Kim mentioned.
He additionally famous that round 80 p.c of Shift Up’s income comes from the worldwide market, the place China represents one of many firm’s largest opponents.
“We lack the capability to compete, each when it comes to high quality and content material quantity,” he added.
AI as a Productiveness Multiplier, Not a Job Killer
Kim argued that coaching builders to make use of generative AI may dramatically enhance productiveness.
“By educating employees in generative AI, one individual can successfully do the work of 100,” he claimed.
He pushed again in opposition to considerations about job losses, stating that widespread AI adoption wouldn’t exchange staff.
As an alternative, he believes competing with huge industries like China and the US would require each obtainable employee, empowered by AI instruments slightly than displaced by them.
Authorities Assist for Generative AI in Gaming
Kim’s place was echoed by Hwi-young Chae, South Korea’s Minister of Tradition, Sports activities, and Tourism. Chae backed the push for AI adoption and promised new investments beginning in 2026 to advertise using generative AI throughout the business.
“Some main recreation firms have already got their very own AI applied sciences,” Chae mentioned, “and they’re additionally designing packages to develop alongside small and medium-sized studios.”
Stellar Blade 2 Is Already in Growth
Alongside these discussions, Shift Up confirmed that Stellar Blade 2 is presently in improvement. Following the success of the unique recreation, the studio awarded a considerable bonus to staff engaged on the sequel.
In accordance with estimates from Alinea Analytics, Stellar Blade had surpassed three million copies offered throughout PS5 and PC by June of final yr.
