Briefly
- Video games Workshop stated it won’t use generative AI within the design or creation of Warhammer 40,000 content material.
- CEO Kevin Rountree outlined a cautious inner coverage within the firm’s half-yearly report.
- The corporate stated it continues to spend money on human creators throughout artwork, writing, and sculpting roles.
Video games Workshop, the U.Okay.-based gaming firm behind Warhammer 40,000, stated it won’t use generative AI in its design or artistic processes, outlining an inner coverage targeted on mental property safety and human creators over automation.
Based in 1975, Video games Workshop is greatest identified for Warhammer 40,000, a long-running tabletop miniature wargame based mostly in a grimdark far future. The Warhammer universe has expanded into novels, video video games, and display screen diversifications. One of many largest and commercially profitable recreation builders on the planet, Video games Workshop went public on the London Inventory Trade in 1994.
The corporate’s place was disclosed throughout its half-yearly report on Tuesday, the place CEO Kevin Rountree addressed synthetic intelligence, saying the corporate has adopted a proper coverage that bars the usage of generative AI.
“We have now agreed an inner coverage to information us all, which is at present very cautious, e.g., we don’t enable AI-generated content material or AI for use in our design processes or its unauthorized use outdoors of GW, together with in any of our competitions,” Rountree stated.
In the course of the investor name highlighting the report, Video games Workshop reported £332.1 million (round $420 million) in income and working revenue of £140.4 million (round $177 million) for the 26-week interval ending Nov. 30, 2025.
Video games Workshop’s stance on generative AI comes as comparable positions are being taken by different main recreation studios. Larian Studios, the developer behind Baldur’s Gate 3, not too long ago stated that its upcoming Divinity recreation won’t embody AI-generated artwork, citing issues round authorship and coaching information.
Blizzard Leisure has additionally stated it isn’t utilizing generative AI in World of Warcraft, even because it deploys machine-learning instruments elsewhere for non-creative duties, citing artist consent and mental property protections.
Rountree additionally cited operational issues tied to AI methods which might be more and more embedded by default in client {hardware} and software program.
“We even have to watch and shield ourselves from an information compliance, safety, and governance perspective,” he stated. “The AI or machine studying engines appear to be robotically included on our telephones or laptops, whether or not we prefer it or not.”
Regardless of these trepidations, Roundtree stated the corporate is permitting restricted inner exploration of the expertise, however stated that it doesn’t prolong to manufacturing use. The coverage, he added, displays the corporate’s broader strategy to creators and possession.
“We have now additionally agreed we will probably be sustaining a robust dedication to guard our mental property and respect our human creators,” he stated.
Somewhat than automating artistic work, the corporate stated it’s increasing its in-house groups.
“We continued to spend money on our Warhammer Studio—hiring extra creatives in a number of disciplines from concepting and artwork to writing and sculpting,” Rountree stated. “Proficient and passionate people that make Warhammer the wealthy, evocative IP that our hobbyists and all of us love.”
Video games Workshop didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark by Decrypt.
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