Sega's newly announced Crazy Taxi: World Tour incorporates generative AI in its development, drawing pushback from players concerned about the studio's reliance on the technology. Franchise creator Kenji Kanno defended the approach in a statement to Kotaku, clarifying that AI serves as a reference tool rather than a replacement for human work.
Kanno explained that artists use generative AI to generate initial concepts, then create the final assets manually. "So actual creators, everything from programming to assets, everything is made by an actual human," Kanno said through a translator. "It's only used as a reference for them to look at."
The disclosure comes as Sega formally announced Crazy Taxi: World Tour, marking the arcade classic's return after years of dormancy. The game will release on modern platforms, but the GenAI revelation has sparked immediate debate within the community about development practices and asset creation standards.
Sega's willingness to publicly acknowledge AI use represents a shift from earlier industry silence on the topic. Many studios have quietly integrated generative AI into workflows without formal disclosure, but increasing player scrutiny has forced transparency. The Crazy Taxi franchise carries nostalgic weight with longtime fans, making any perceived shortcut in development particularly visible.
The GenAI conversation reflects broader industry tensions. Developers argue AI accelerates production timelines and assists creative ideation without replacing skilled workers. Critics counter that reliance on these tools devalues human artists and potentially normalizes lower production standards. Kanno's framing positions AI as a speed bump rather than a workforce replacement, though skeptical players remain unconvinced about where the line truly sits between reference material and shortcutting.
World Tour's reception will test whether veteran franchises can integrate AI tools without damaging player trust. Sega faces pressure to demonstrate that using generative AI during pre-production doesn't