Strong tool, but not a replacement for artists and creators: Sony clarified the use of generative AI in PlayStation games

Sony Reveals the Role of Generative AI in PlayStation Game Development

At a recent presentation of the company’s corporate strategy, Sony Interactive Entertainment head Hideaki Nisiro and Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki explained how generative artificial intelligence (AI) is already changing game development.

Nisiro emphasized that AI has become a “powerful tool” that helps PlayStation:

- Lower barriers to creativity – giving developers more freedom in content creation;
- Accelerate production – shortening the time from idea to finished product.

Sony’s internal studios are already actively using these technologies, and one of the key projects is the Mockingbird tool.

The Mockingbird tool animates 3‑D facial models in a fraction of a second instead of spending hours on manual work. It uses motion capture data to generate realistic facial expressions.

Examples of use:

- Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (the 2024 post‑apocalyptic open‑world action) already includes animation created with Mockingbird.
- PlayStation studios such as Naughty Dog (Uncharted, The Last of Us, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet) and San Diego Studio (the MLB The Show series) also apply this tool in their projects.

Sony’s approach to AI

Totoki noted that “human creativity remains the most important.” According to him, AI is merely an enhancer of imagination, not a replacement for artists and developers. It helps unlock new possibilities but does not replace human contribution.

Joint initiatives

Sony also participates in a joint project with Bandai Namco aimed at exploring how generative AI and modern technologies can most effectively realize the creator’s vision in video production.