Professor Layton Developer Says AI Generates 80-90% of Code
Akihiro Hino, president and CEO of Ni no Kuni and Professor Layton developer Level 5, has shared a striking view on the current state of game development, arguing that artificial intelligence now accounts for the majority of the work behind modern games. His comments were reported by Automaton following a speech delivered to new participants of Japan’s Top Game Creators Academy (TGCA).
Hino welcomed aspiring developers by reflecting on how deeply generative AI has entered the creative process. According to Hino, around 80 to 90 per cent of game code today is written by AI, with human programmers stepping in afterward to fix, refine, and finalize the output (Automaton West, 2025). From that perspective, he suggested that roughly 80 to 90 per cent of games are effectively made by AI.
Hino emphasized that quality still hinges on one key skill, aesthetic sense. With AI capable of producing large volumes of content quickly, Hino said the ability to judge quality and separate what elevates a game from what harms it will be essential. Whether something is created by a human or generated by AI, developers must be able to recognize strong ideas, discard weak ones, and polish the remainder into a cohesive experience (Automaton West, 2025).
Hino also explained that future top tier developers will need to be proficient in using AI tools themselves. According to Automaton’s report, he believes mastery of AI combined with a refined aesthetic sensibility will be the defining factor for those aiming to succeed on the global stage (Automaton West, 2025).
Hino’s remarks, as reported by Automaton, highlight a growing tension in the industry between efficiency and authorship. While AI may generate the bulk of raw materials such as code, assets, and drafts, it does not inherently understand context, player emotion, or long term design intent. Human developers still decide what a game should be, even if AI increasingly handles how individual components are produced.
There is also a risk in framing development too heavily around percentages. Reducing game creation to how much code is generated can overlook the importance of iteration, playtesting, narrative cohesion, and design philosophy, areas where human responsibility remains absolute. AI may accelerate production, but it does not bear accountability when a game fails to resonate with players.
Ultimately, Hino’s comments reflect an industry in transition. AI is no longer a future consideration but a present reality, and developers entering the field will need to balance technical fluency with strong creative instincts.
Sources:
Automaton West (2025) Level-5 CEO says games are now being made 80-90% by AI, making “aesthetic sense” a must for developers, 7 May. Available at: https://automaton-media.com/en/news/level-5-ceo-says-games-are-now-being-made-80-90-by-ai-making-aesthetic-sense-a-must-for-developers/ (Accessed: 28 December 2025).