Game Science Rejects Generative AI for Black Myth Sequel, Inspired by Christopher Nolan

Black Myth Devs Were Inspired by 2026's Hottest Movie to Reject AI in Sequel's Development

The use of generative AI in game development has become an increasingly contentious topic as more and more games use the technology in some way or other. One studio pushing back against this trend, however, is Black Myth: Wukong developer Game Science. The team recently stated that it will not be using AI to develop the sequel to the 2024 action RPG, Black Myth: Zhong Kui, and it's all because of Christopher Nolan. Taking to the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Black Myth series art director and Game Science co-founder Yan Qi responded to a fan question on whether AI could speed up Black Myth: Zhong Kui's development. "We'll steer clear of AI-generated content during the design and asset phases," Qi said (as translated by a user on ResetEra), "Not out of resistance, but simply to stand our ground until the very end." Qi uses the analogy of not needing to catch the last train to go somewhere, "we can just stay at a small inn for a while... no rush." Close To further explain why Game Science does not feel the need to hop on to the latest technology trend, Qi uses filmmaker Christopher Nolan as an example. "At a time when digital filmmaking and 3D post-production seem to have reached a dead end, look at Nolan," Qi wrote, "He's thriving, using even older techniques to shake things up." Qi previously stated that he was deeply inspired by his experience watching Nolan's latest epic, The Odyssey. It is a good comparison in that Nolan's insistence on using practical effects and shooting on film has made him one of the most renowned directors of our time when much of big-budget cinema revolves around CGI-slop action sequences. Audiences can tell when a piece of art was crafted by human hands, and it pays off. This isn't the first time the team behind the Black Myth series has come out against AI. In 2024, lead performance director Beth Park said that technology loses the "human, chaotic emotion" of artistic creation. Black Myth: Zhong Kui was first announced in 2025 during Gamescom Opening Night Live. Game Science has not announced a release window for the sequel. There's no rush.

Black Myth: Wukong developers won't be using generative AI for their new game, but aren't opposed to it

Game Science is simply in no rush to use the technology, but could be persuaded by it at some point down the road. Game Science, the developer of the mega hit Black Myth: Wukong, will not be using generative AI to help with the development of the game's successor Black Myth: Zhong Kui. However, this doesn't mean that Game Science is entirely opposed to the technology and its uses. Instead, as Game Science co-founder and Black Myth series director Yang Qigang said on Weibo, a Chinese social media (via GamerSky), the studio is holding back right now as Generative AI progresses in its development. "The design and asset stages will be far removed from AIGC, not out of resistance, but simply to do our best in the final stage," Yang Qigang wrote. He used Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey of an example as to why the studio continues to push on with traditional game development methods. "In today's world where digital cinema and 3D post-production seem to have reached a dead end, Nolan is still shining brightly, stirring up a storm with older technologies... There's no such thing as a last train that you absolutely have to catch. You can find a small hotel to stay in, and there's plenty of time for AI and stuff, no rush." Black Myth: Zhong Kui is going to be without generative AI in its design and assets, so anyone looking to play an AI-free game in the future can pop it on their list. Perhaps for the third Black Myth game, Game Science won't be as human-centric in its development, but we've probably got a while until then.