He explained that AI can help accelerate iterations and streamline workflows — not by generating final assets, but by assisting with internal toolsets and checks that would otherwise be time-consuming.
Howard isn’t unique in this measured stance. Legendary creator Hideo Kojima has also described AI as a kind of “assistant” for tedious, low-value tasks that can reduce time and cost without replacing authorship.
“If you look back a decade, you wouldn’t want to go back to that era of Photoshop,” Howard added, pointing out how tools evolve and improve workflows.
“That’s our position: we want to preserve the craft. The human intention behind our work is what makes it special.”
Howard and Kojima represent a cautious middle ground, while other industry leaders — including Valve’s Gabe Newell and Ubisoft’s Yves Guillemot — have taken a more optimistic, fully embracing approach, and major publishers like EA are already investing heavily in AI. In that context, Howard’s comments are relatively restrained.
“Gen Z loves AI slop,” says a former Square Enix executive — a comment suggesting that controversial AI practices, such as those used in Arc Raiders, may be only the beginning.
Source: gamesradar.com
