Shadow of the Colossus Director Guarantees No AI in Gen Atlas

At this year’s Summer Game Fest, Gen Atlas unveiled a fresh trailer that re‑ignited excitement for the long‑awaited project from the mastermind behind Shadow of the Colossus. The director, Fumito Ueda, confirmed that his new venture is a bold, science‑fiction odyssey in partnership with Epic Games, but he remains tight‑lipped on a release window.

In a candid interview with PC Gamer, Ueda emphasized that every facet of the game’s creation—from concept sketches to the underlying code—will be crafted by human hands. “Everything that is considered game development is made by humans,” he declared, underscoring a deliberate rejection of generative AI in the core creative pipeline.

Under the umbrella of his new studio, genDESIGN, the team has agreed to a publishing partnership with Epic Games. While the studio acknowledges the utility of AI for administrative tasks—such as drafting schedules and summarizing meeting notes—it explicitly excludes the technology from any role in ideation or asset creation.

Fans of the Crazy Taxi reboot have expressed mixed feelings about the AI disclosures, revealing a delicate balance between leveraging technology for efficiency and preserving the authenticity that drives player enthusiasm. In Gen Atlas’s scenario, the technology appears reserved for logistical support rather than creative direction, a strategy that may preserve the game’s artistic integrity while still benefiting from AI’s administrative strengths.

Time will tell how this hybrid model influences the project’s timeline and reception. Given Ueda’s reputation for meticulous craftsmanship, Gen Atlas may still be several years away from hitting the market, but its commitment to human creativity could set a new standard for future blockbuster titles.