<p>While the debate over artificial intelligence in the creative arts continues to intensify, the director behind 2024's breakout hit *Stellar Blade* argues that the technology is a strategic necessity. According to him, South Korean developers must embrace AI to remain competitive against industry giants in the United States and China, framing the issue as a matter of fundamental economic survival.</p>
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<p>Hyung-tae Kim, the CEO of Shift Up and the visionary behind *Stellar Blade*, shared these insights during the 2026 Economic Growth Strategy summit in South Korea. He noted that because a vast majority of Shift Up’s players are located internationally, the studio is constantly vying for attention against massive Chinese productions. As reported by <a href="https://www.gamemeca.com/view.php?gid=1770030" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GameMeca</a> (via <a href="https://automaton-media.com/en/news/stellar-blade-director-says-using-ai-will-be-essential-for-competing-with-overwhelming-manpower-of-china-and-us-developers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Automaton</a>), Kim believes AI is the key to bridging the gap in sheer production volume.</p>
<p>The disparity in resources is significant. Kim explained that while Shift Up typically assigns roughly 150 developers to a single project, major studios in China often utilize teams of 1,000 to 2,000 employees. AI, he argues, serves as a force multiplier that allows smaller, agile teams to match the output and technical scale of these global behemoths.</p>
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<p>Kim maintains that this transition won't necessarily lead to job losses. Instead, he suggests that the current demand for high-quality content is so high that studios will still require every human hand available, supplemented by generative tools to meet modern standards. This sentiment is supported by Hwi-young Chae, South Korea's Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, who confirmed that the government is already facilitating AI investment for smaller development teams to ensure they aren't left behind by larger corporations.</p>
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<p>These arguments highlight the ongoing tension in the industry. While proponents see AI as a way to maximize productivity and streamline cumbersome workflows, critics worry the technology produces "soulless" content that lacks human nuance, often requiring extensive manual oversight to fix errors. </p>
<p>However, with industry leaders like EA and Activision already integrating AI into various stages of production, Kim’s perspective reflects a pragmatic shift in the global market. Whether this reliance on automation will enhance or dilute the quality of future projects—including a potential *Stellar Blade* sequel—remains to be seen. For now, Kim’s efforts have earned him a Presidential Commendation for his impact on the South Korean gaming sector, an honor he attributed to the support of his fans.</p>
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Source: gamesradar.com
