Nintendo Denies AI Use in Mario Kart World Development Amid Billboard Speculation

Nintendo has firmly denied allegations that it utilized AI-generated images for the creation of billboards in the upcoming game, Mario Kart World. The controversy arose following a Nintendo Treehouse livestream that offered fans an early look at the game. Observant viewers noticed peculiar images on in-game advertising boards, including a construction site, a bridge, and an unusually tall car, which led to speculation about the use of AI in their creation.

While it's common for pre-release games to feature placeholder graphics, Nintendo was quick to clarify that no AI-generated images were used in the development of Mario Kart World. In a statement to Eurogamer, the company emphasized, "AI-generated images were not used in the development of Mario Kart World."

The debate over generative AI is a hot topic across creative industries, including video game development. Concerns range from ethical and copyright issues to the potential displacement of jobs, prompting labor unions and video game performers to advocate for protections against its use.

In September of the previous year, Nintendo's legendary developer Shigeru Miyamoto expressed the company's intention to take a unique approach to AI, distinct from the broader industry trend. This stance contrasts with comments from EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who described AI as central to their business, as explored in detail by IGN. Miyamoto highlighted Nintendo's commitment to finding what makes the company special, stating in an interview with The New York Times, "It might seem like we are just going the opposite direction for the sake of going in the opposite direction, but it really is trying to find what makes Nintendo special."

Miyamoto further elaborated, "There is a lot of talk about A.I., for example. When that happens, everyone starts to go in the same direction, but that is where Nintendo would rather go in a different direction."

These comments align with those made by Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa in July, who acknowledged the potential of generative AI in creative applications but also pointed out the challenges it poses to intellectual property rights. Furukawa emphasized Nintendo's dedication to leveraging its decades of experience to deliver unique gaming experiences, stating, "While we are open to utilizing technological developments, we will work to continue delivering value that is unique to Nintendo and cannot be created by technology alone."

The eagerly awaited Nintendo Switch 2, for which Mario Kart World is a console exclusive, is scheduled to launch on June 5. Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 began on April 24, maintaining a price of $449.99, and were met with high demand, as detailed in IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.