Infold Games has reaffirmed its commitment to human craftsmanship in game design, opposing the use of generative AI as a substitute for creative talent, emphasising the unique emotional ‘soul’ that human creators bring to their projects amid ongoing industry debates.
Infold Games, the studio behind mobile hit Love and Deepspace and dress-up adventure Infinity Nikki, has drawn a clear line against using generative AI as a substitute for creative staff, arguing that the technology still cannot match the emotional texture of human-made work. In comments to IGN Japan, company CTO Ji Zhang said AI is developing quickly and will help reshape the games business, but insisted it cannot provide the “soul” that core creators bring to a project.
That stance fits the company’s emphasis on painstaking visual detail. Zhang said Infold has invested heavily in graphics, including realistic clothing behaviour built around physics-based materials and simulation. He also pointed to the different design priorities of the two games: Love and Deepspace centres on facial expression and character refinement, while Infinity Nikki required the team to solve the challenges of a large open world.
The debate arrives as studios across the industry continue to wrestle with the role of AI. Larian Studios, best known for Baldur’s Gate 3, has faced criticism over early experiments with generative tools, later saying it would not use them for concept art in its next Divinity project. Its leadership has said it still wants to test AI in other parts of development, but only with company-owned or fully authorised data.
Resistance is not limited to art teams. Voice actors connected with Baldur’s Gate 3 have also warned about AI voice cloning, describing it as a threat to both jobs and identity. Against that backdrop, Infold’s position appears aimed at a growing audience that still values visible human craft, particularly in games where players pay for elaborate, hand-designed outfits and character presentation.
Source Reference Map
Inspired by headline at: [1]
Sources by paragraph: - Paragraph 1: [2] - Paragraph 2: [2] - Paragraph 3: [3], [4] - Paragraph 4: [5], [6], [7]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://frvr.com/blog/news/infinity-nikki-love-and-deepspace-studio-says-ai-lacks-the-soul-to-replace-humans/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
- https://frvr.com/blog/news/infinity-nikki-love-and-deepspace-studio-says-ai-lacks-the-soul-to-replace-humans/ - The article discusses how Infold Games, the developer behind Infinity Nikki and Love and Deepspace, is resisting the integration of AI in game development. CTO Ji Zhang emphasises that AI cannot replicate the 'soul' of human-created content, highlighting the studio's commitment to high-quality, artist-designed assets. The piece also touches upon the broader industry debate over AI's role in game development, referencing Larian Studios' decision to cease using generative AI in their projects.
- https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/larian-swears-off-gen-ai-concept-art-tools-and-says-there-is-not-going-to-be-any-genai-art-in-divinity-but-its-still-trying-ai-things-out-across-departments/ - Larian Studios, known for Baldur's Gate 3, has announced it will not use generative AI tools for concept art in its upcoming Divinity game. This decision follows fan backlash over the studio's previous use of AI in early development stages. However, Larian plans to continue experimenting with AI across other departments to enhance development efficiency, ensuring that any AI-generated content is based on company-owned data or fully consented sources.
- https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/baldurs-gate-3-developer-larian-defends-itself-as-fans-react-to-generative-ai-use-im-not-entirely-sure-we-are-the-ideal-target-for-the-level-of-scorn/ - Larian Studios has faced criticism from fans regarding its use of generative AI in game development, particularly for prototyping tasks. CEO Swen Vincke clarified that AI tools are used during early ideation phases and are not responsible for producing actual in-game content. Despite this, many fans expressed disappointment, feeling it undermines the creativity of human artists. Larian continues to hire new artists and does not substitute human creativity with AI.
- https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/baldurs-gate-3-actors-tear-into-ai-voice-cloning-that-is-stealing-not-just-my-job-but-my-identity/ - Voice actors from Baldur's Gate 3 have criticised the use of AI voice cloning, expressing concerns that it not only threatens their employment but also their personal identity. Narrator Amelia Tyler recounted instances where her voice was replicated through AI for inappropriate content, highlighting the ethical and personal implications of such technology in the gaming industry.
- https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/baldurs-gate-3-actors-tear-into-ai-voice-cloning-that-is-stealing-not-just-my-job-but-my-identity/ - Voice actors from Baldur's Gate 3 have criticised the use of AI voice cloning, expressing concerns that it not only threatens their employment but also their personal identity. Narrator Amelia Tyler recounted instances where her voice was replicated through AI for inappropriate content, highlighting the ethical and personal implications of such technology in the gaming industry.
- https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/baldurs-gate-3-actors-tear-into-ai-voice-cloning-that-is-stealing-not-just-my-job-but-my-identity/ - Voice actors from Baldur's Gate 3 have criticised the use of AI voice cloning, expressing concerns that it not only threatens their employment but also their personal identity. Narrator Amelia Tyler recounted instances where her voice was replicated through AI for inappropriate content, highlighting the ethical and personal implications of such technology in the gaming industry.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article was published on April 15, 2026, and references recent developments in AI usage within the gaming industry, including statements from Larian Studios and Games Workshop. (frvr.com) However, the article's reliance on a single source, FRVR, raises concerns about originality and potential recycling of content. (frvr.com)
Quotes check
Score: 6
Notes: The article includes direct quotes attributed to Ji Zhang, CTO of Infold Games, stating that AI cannot add 'any soul to content creation' and cannot replace core creators. (frvr.com) However, these quotes cannot be independently verified through other sources, raising concerns about their authenticity and potential reuse from previous statements.
Source reliability
Score: 5
Notes: The primary source, FRVR, is a niche publication with limited reach and may not be considered a major news organisation. (frvr.com) The article also references statements from Larian Studios and Games Workshop, but these are not directly linked to independent, reputable sources, which diminishes the overall reliability of the information presented.
Plausibility check
Score: 7
Notes: The claims about Infold Games' stance on AI in game development align with industry trends and the company's known emphasis on human-crafted content. (frvr.com) However, the lack of independent verification and reliance on a single source raises questions about the accuracy and completeness of the information.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary: The article presents information on Infold Games' stance against AI in game development, referencing statements from Ji Zhang and industry trends. However, the reliance on a single, niche source with unverifiable quotes and limited independent verification raises significant concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the content. (frvr.com)