New survey finds every Japanese online game developer is now using generative AI

A new annual survey from Famitsu has found that 100% of Japanese online game companies are now using generative AI tools, marking a dramatic shift from just a year ago when the industry's adoption rate stood at around half. The findings highlight how quickly AI has moved from an experimental curiosity to an assumed part of the development toolkit in Japan's games industry.

The details:

• The Famitsu survey (via Automaton) covers Japanese online game companies specifically and found universal adoption of generative AI, up from 51% in a September 2025 survey published by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association.
• The most widely used tool was Google Gemini at 94%, followed by Anthropic's Claude at 84% and GitHub Copilot at 76%.
• The tasks companies most commonly wanted to delegate to AI were "user preference analysis" and "behavior prediction," both oriented toward player retention and monetisation rather than creative production.
• Players' most frequently cited concerns about AI use were potential copyright infringement and the risk of "all games starting to look alike."
• Notable Japanese studios already confirmed as using AI in development include Capcom and Level-5.