MMO News Roundup: Capcom's AI Push, Bungie Founder's New Studio, Jagex Trailer Drama

Ever feel like AI is being shoved into every corner of gaming whether you asked for it or not? Well, this week's MMO industry roundup has that familiar feeling, because generative AI shows up in two of the three big headlines.

First up, Capcom is apparently looking to turn AI into a bigger part of its development pipeline. The company wants to use generative AI tools in its game creation process, which is a move that's sure to get plenty of side-eye from players who are already tired of hearing about AI in games. Capcom hasn't shared the full details of what this looks like yet, but the direction is clear: the house behind Monster Hunter and Resident Evil wants AI doing more heavy lifting behind the scenes.

On a very different note, one of the co-founders of Bungie has landed a new gig. That's right, the studio that brought you Halo and Destiny has alumni making moves elsewhere in the industry. Details on the new role are still thin, but it's always worth watching where veteran developers end up, since those moves often shape what we play a few years down the line.

Then there's Jagex, the studio behind RuneScape, which found itself in a bit of a trailer kerfuffle this week. Without getting into the weeds, the situation stirred up enough conversation that it made our roundup cut, and it's the kind of thing that tends to get the community talking fast.

So what's the takeaway here? For one, generative AI is clearly not going away in game development, and studios are going to keep testing how far they can push it. Whether that's for art, code, or something else entirely, expect more headlines like Capcom's in the coming months, and expect players to keep pushing back when it feels like a shortcut rather than a tool.

For another, the talent carousel in this industry never stops spinning. When a Bungie co-founder takes on something new, it's a signal that the people who built some of your favorite franchises are still out there cooking up the next big thing. Keep an eye on that one.

And as for Jagex? Well, trailer drama is practically a tradition in the MMO space at this point. Communities are passionate, and when something feels off, they let it be known. That's not necessarily a bad thing, even if it makes for a messy week for the studio's PR team.

That's your roundup for this edition. AI is creeping further into development, veteran devs are on the move, and RuneScape fans are doing what they do best. What do you think about Capcom leaning into generative AI? Will you be picking up whatever that Bungie co-founder is working on next? Let us know in the comments.