Suda51 may not have the right information
In speaking with Eurogamer, Suda51 takes a dim view of generative AI, which offers a strange rendering. This is partly why he did not use the tool at all in the development of Romeo is a Dead Man :
“ Personally, I see a lot of AI-related content popping up on social media. Given their level of development, there is something disturbing in the images and videos we see there. Most people feel the same way; something psychological tells us something is wrong. There’s something fishy. It is said that the day will come when AI will deceive people, when people will no longer even realize that it is AI. That may be true, but honestly, I don’t think we’re there yet. When I see something created with generative AI, it makes me uncomfortable. »
He continues:
“ If I had used an AI to create Romeo :A), it would have been a fake Romeo. Not that he really existed, but the players would have perceived a certain superficiality in this character. It would have been difficult to identify with him, and it would not even have been very disturbing. And B), with the way we make games today, the specific skills of the studio and the people we know, whether it’s special effects, art direction or graphic design… those skills and passion that humans invest in their works shine through on screen. We feel it, it’s not just that the game was made by humans and not by an AI, but we feel that someone put their whole heart into it. Someone worked hard to make this possible. »
While he shows all his passion for handmade work, far from soulless creations formulated with generative AI, he probably candidly declares that NetEase does the same on his side. Suda51 reportedly told Eurogamer that the publisher had a division focused on research around this area, but it was reportedly closedand according to the creator, NetEase would tell its studios not to use the tool:
“ Regarding the absence of AI in our games, this was originally a NetEase policy for all their subsidiaries. They initially had a section dedicated to AI research and development, but they decided to end it. They disbanded this section and asked their studios not to use AI in their games, not to use it at all. »
Something that is not entirely accurate. Following the publication of this article, representatives from NetEase contacted several people, including journalist Chriss Kerr of Game Developer, to indicate that this AI research division was still alive and welland that progress continued to be made in this area. In the case of Romeo is Dead, it is undoubtedly true that Suda51 was not worried by the question, but the Japanese creator may have moved too quickly by declaring that NetEase was stopping its ambitions in generative AI, which is far from being the case.
NEW: A NetEase spokesperson has told me that reports indicating it shuttered a genAI research division and is now moving away from the tech are “false.””The situation described did not occur, and we have not published any related policies.”
— Chris Kerr (@kerrblimey.bsky.social) 2026-02-04T13:54:33.801Z