Japanese game developers embrace AI at record rates while North American studios remain skeptical

Japanese game developers are adopting AI tools at a significantly higher rate than their North American counterparts, according to contrasting industry surveys released in 2026.

The 2026 CESA Videogame Industry Report, which surveys the Japanese games business, found that 85.8% of developers now use AI tools, a sharp increase from 51% the previous year. A separate July survey focused specifically on online game developers showed an even higher adoption rate of 100%.

Among Japanese respondents overall, 63% report using generative AI tools on a daily basis, while 22.8% use them more irregularly. The survey did not distinguish between different uses of AI, such as code generation, concept art, in-game assets, or text creation.

Japanese developers cited improved efficiency, reduced costs, and shorter development times as key benefits. Safety measures commonly deployed include human verification of generated content and avoiding the use of generated material in player-facing circumstances.

The contrast with North America is stark. A comparable GDC 2026 survey found that just 36% of North American developers use AI tools as part of their work. Additionally, 52% of North American survey respondents believe generative AI is negatively impacting the industry.

The divergence highlights differing attitudes toward AI adoption between regional game development communities, though questions remain about how AI integration may affect game quality and player trust over time.