Konami President Says AI Won't Significantly Change the Games Market, Creators Come First

October 17, 2026 - 18:29

Konami Digital Entertainment president Hideki Hayakawa does not expect generative AI to dramatically reshape the games market. In Konami Group's Integrated Report for the fiscal year ended March 2026, first reported by Dengeki Online, Hayakawa pushed back against the widespread assumption that AI will make game development cheaper and faster across the board.

Hayakawa acknowledged that AI tools can help with certain tasks, but he argued that the technology will not significantly change the market or the way games are made. The core of game creation, in his view, still depends on people. He emphasized that creators come first and that human skill and vision remain central to the company's approach.

His comments arrive as publishers across the industry experiment with generative AI for everything from concept art to dialogue and code. Some executives have predicted major cost savings, while others have raised concerns about quality and labor. Hayakawa's stance places Konami among the more cautious voices, treating AI as a supporting tool rather than a disruptive force.

The report also reflects Konami's broader strategy of investing in its development teams and long-running franchises. By highlighting the role of creators, Hayakawa signaled that the company will not lean on automation to replace the people behind its games.