Black Myth: Zhong Kui Won’t Use Generative AI, Says Game Science Co-Founder

Game Science does not intend to rush Black Myth: Zhong Kui out the door with the help of generative AI. Instead, the studio plans to rely on traditional development techniques while taking the time needed to realize its next action RPG.

Game Science co-founder and art director Yang Qi addressed the topic directly on Weibo (translated by Resetera user) in the early hours of August 10, after a fan asked how much AI could accelerate Zhong Kui’s development given how far the technology has come.

Game Science Is Taking Its Time With Black Myth: Zhong Kui

Yang Qi’s answer was blunt. He said the team would steer clear of AI-generated content during the design and asset phases, adding that this was not out of resistance to the technology, but simply to hold their ground until the project is finished.

He expanded on that stance by pointing to Christopher Nolan as an example, noting that digital filmmaking and 3D post-production seem to have hit a wall, yet Nolan is thriving by using older techniques to shake things up.

There is no “last train” the studio absolutely has to catch, he said, and the team can afford to stay at a small inn for a while. AI, in his view, will still be there when they’re ready for it. No rush.

That does not necessarily mean every form of AI has been banned from the project. AI-driven systems have been part of game development for decades, after all, and this is squarely about where generative AI fits into modern development rather than AI as a whole. The more relevant point is that Game Science reportedly will not use generative AI as a shortcut for producing creative work or shortening Zhong Kui’s development cycle.

The Odyssey And Christopher Nolan Are Creative Inspirations

Game Science is also looking beyond its previous game while developing Zhong Kui. The studio has taken inspiration from Nolan’s The Odyssey and his filmmaking techniques more broadly.

Yang Qi’s AI comments came shortly after he posted separately on Weibo praising the film, calling it the definitive answer to an epic film and saying he was deeply inspired by it.

Zhong Kui is a legendary figure in Chinese folklore commonly associated with hunting ghosts and evil spirits. That premise gives the studio plenty of room to create another creature-filled action RPG without repeating Sun Wukong’s story.

There Is Still No Reason To Expect A Quick Release

Black Myth: Zhong Kui is the second title in the Black Myth series, following Black Myth: Wukong, and it remains in the early stages of development. So far, only a CG reveal trailer and a Lunar New Year-themed short film have been released, with no confirmed release date or detailed gameplay plans.

For now, the important takeaway is that Game Science is not interested in using generative AI to race toward release. Given the scale of expectations facing its next game, taking the traditional, and potentially slower, route sounds like the sensible call.