Capcom Pledges No AI-Generated Assets in Games, But Will Use AI for Development Workflow

Capcom has drawn a clear line in the sand regarding generative AI use in its games, telling investors during a February 2026 online information session that it "will not implement assets generated by AI into our game content." The statement comes as the gaming industry continues to grapple with player backlash over AI-generated art and assets appearing in major releases.

However, the Resident Evil and Monster Hunter publisher isn't abandoning AI technology entirely. According to the company's investor Q&A summary published March 23, Capcom intends to "actively utilize such technologies to enhance efficiency and boost productivity" within its game development processes. The company is currently evaluating potential applications across various disciplines, including graphics, sound, and programming, though it hasn't specified exactly where it draws the line between workflow tools and asset creation.

The timing of the statement is notable, coming just a week after Capcom's involvement with Nvidia's controversial DLSS 5 reveal, which used AI to dramatically alter the appearance of characters in Resident Evil Requiem. While the investor session actually took place on February 16—before the DLSS 5 unveiling, the public release of the summary likely serves as damage control following the intense negative reaction to that technology.

Capcom has previously disclosed its use of AI for early concept work. In January 2025, the company's technical director revealed a Google Cloud-based system that generates initial visual references to help produce concept illustrations for the "hundreds of thousands of ideas" needed to fill out a game world. This approach mirrors strategies from other studios like Pearl Abyss, which faced recent backlash when AI-generated art was discovered throughout Crimson Desert despite similar claims that such assets were only meant for early-stage development.