Japanese game studio forces applicants to draw in front of them to avoid AI

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To ensure candidates aren’t using AI to create artwork, a Japanese game studio is now asking interviewees to draw live during the interview process.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming more common in our lives, from helping students with their writing to even exploring ways to reconnect with those we’ve lost. However, its increasing use isn’t without concern – even director James Cameron has described it as frightening.

AI is a sensitive topic for many, especially in fields like video game development. Companies such as Activision are now using AI to quickly create assets for their games, which has upset some players. However, not everyone in the industry is enthusiastic about this approach.

A Japanese game company, who wishes to remain anonymous, recently discovered some applicants were using AI to create artwork they submitted as samples. As a result, the company now requires all potential artists to complete a drawing during the interview process, ensuring the work is created live and demonstrates their own skills.

Japanese game studio looking to weed out generative AI

So, I was reading an article on Automaton Media, and it turns out a lead graphic designer at a game studio – they wanted to stay anonymous – talked to Daily Shincho. They revealed how the studio is changing its hiring process. Pretty interesting stuff!

To avoid issues arising from AI-generated art, the studio is now asking artists to demonstrate their skills live during interviews by completing a drawing on the spot.

Our recruiting process is surprisingly demanding,” the Chief Graphic Designer explained. “It feels a bit old-fashioned, but we’re seeing other companies adopt similar methods.

There’s some disagreement within the company, with some people believing they should focus on hiring AI specialists instead. Because of this, the developer who shared this information is worried their influence is decreasing.

They admitted to using generative AI to help with their work, but emphasized that truly captivating characters and visuals still come from human creativity. They’ve been advocating to their leaders that the best approach is to hire skilled and talented individuals.

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2025-12-03 03:19