Vienna-based Startup Launches AI Pipeline Builder for Gaming Studios

Vienna-based startup Atlas announced on Monday the launch of a new AI tool to automate the game development process, as game developers increasingly turn to the technology. 

The new Atlas AI Studio uses multiple AI agents to automate tasks such as generation, texturing, optimization, and engine integration, allowing artists to describe tasks in natural language. At the same time, the system builds the assets using different AI models.

“What we’ve built now, and what we are releasing, is an agentic kind of workflow builder,” Atlas founder and CEO Ben James told Decrypt. “What it does is you’re able to describe what you’re looking to build. It will go ahead and assemble a combination of different AI models to make that.”

Atlas AI Studio is now moving from closed beta to global availability through Google Cloud Marketplace. Studios including Square Enix, PARALLEL, and Ego have used the system during the beta, Atlas said. 

The launch comes as developers continue to experiment with AI across game production, while players continue to push back against its use. James argues that despite the negative view of gamers towards AI, its benefits are often overlooked.

“I think oftentimes what’s not appreciated is AI can do a lot of the non-creative aspects of game development,” James said. “Think of generating different levels of detail for an object that’s created by a human artist, but for a game to run effectively, it still needs different levels of detail, or optimizing material builds for different objects, or setting up collisions and pivot points. There’s a lot of work that AI can do in this space.”

In 2023, Cyan Worlds faced criticism after players discovered its adventure game, Firmament, used AI-assisted content, while voice actors protested the use of AI-generated voices in the shooter The Finals. 

The debate has prompted some companies to publicly reject the use of AI. In January, Warhammer 40K maker Games Workshop said it would not use generative AI in its creative design process.

James said much of the criticism centers on visible AI-generated art rather than the technical work required to prepare assets for games.

“I don’t think a gamer would have that sort of visceral reaction to knowing  AI was used so that this game could run in a more performant way, or that these assets could be used in a more optimized setting,” James said.

Copyright concerns remain central to the debate over AI in the gaming industry. James said responsibility lies with the developers using the technology.

“The onus still, to some extent, when you’re creating with AI, does fall on the creator,” James said. “So, you shouldn’t introduce IP into the system that you don’t have ownership or authority to introduce into the system.”