Tomb Raider owner says humans hold key to game evolution as AI gains ground

Embracer AB

23/05/2024 11:56

May 23 (Reuters) - AI has become a major tool in gaming,
but human creativity remains crucial to developing games, the
CEO of Tomb Raider franchise owner Embracer  EMBRACb.ST  told
Reuters on Thursday.
    Embracer is in the midst of a strategy shift as it adapts to
a rapidly evolving global gaming landscape and is preparing to
split its business into three listed companies by 2025.
    "AI (artificial intelligence) is important and it's here
affecting the whole world in a way, but I don't see the
overnight drama," said Lars Wingefors, who is also a co-founder
and the biggest shareholder of the Swedish group.
    "Looking at physical games, I think AI is obviously an
important tool to develop. But in the end, I also believe in the
humanly created product," Wingefors said in an interview.
    Wingefors said he remains confident in his team's ability to
attract talent, highlighting Embracer's Middle-earth division as
one that can create an environment to do this.
     "People love to work with exciting IPs (intellectual
property) and world-class talents," he said. 
    Embracer's planned three-way split would be carried out
through the listings of Asmodee, which recently secured a 900
million euro ($976 million) loan to help refinance the company's
debt, and Coffee Stain & Friends. 
    The current listed group would retain the Tomb Raider
franchise and be renamed Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends, to
align with its in-development online multiplayer game based on
The Lord of The Rings series.
    Wingefors said Embracer had seen a trend of players
returning to established IPs, and was creating more content for
these titles in response.
    By 2025, Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends is set to
produce blockbuster games that are costlier to develop, but have
a greater potential payoff.
    "Looking at the next five years, I see a good growth in the
gaming market. We are active in all fields and we see growth
across all segments," Wingefors added.
($1 = 0.9224 euros)  

 (Reporting by Jesus Calero, additional reporting by Agnieszka
Olenska, editing by Alexander Smith)
 ((Jesus.calero@thomsonreuters.com))