Crazy Taxi: World Tour Revives an Arcade Classic in 2027, But There's a Catch 1

Update #2 []: We finally have further clarification about Crazy Taxi: World Tour's usage of generative AI entails, and it seems there may not be any AI assets in the final game at all.

Speaking to Kotaku, series creator Kenji Kanno explained exactly how the team has been using generative AI in development.

"We used [generative AI] as a reference," he says, via a translator. "So our artists would pull up [and] generate some of their ideas and then they would look at that, you know, generated image and then they would draw the actual thing. So actual creators, everything from programming to assets, everything is made by an actual human. It’s only used as a reference for them to look at and then they would actually create the actual thing that would go into the game."

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When asked further about this, Kanno stressed again that generative AI was only being used as a reference tool.

"For us, the extent of how we use generative AI is only what I mentioned earlier," he says. "[It’s] just for ideas and just as a reference. Moving forward in the future [generative AI] is probably going to be more of a hot topic, but I think that’s all I can say right now on how we use generative AI for this game."

So, there you have it. Crazy Taxi: World Tour will in fact not contain AI-generated assets, according to the man in charge.

It's obviously still a bit of a red flag for these tools to be used at all, but this makes me feel better about the situation. As far as I'm concerned, using it purely for reference purposes is a far more acceptable use than implementing generated art into the game.

How are you feeling about Crazy Taxi: World Tour after this new update? Tell us in the comments.

Update #1 []: It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, this one. Crazy Taxi: World Tour has been announced, and by all accounts it looks great, but that was swiftly followed by the discovery that generative AI was used to some degree during its production.

American publication Game Informer has managed to get a statement about this from SEGA, and although it's fairly similar to what's on the game's Steam page, there is a little bit more context. Here it is in full:

"At SEGA Corporation, generative AI is available as an optional support tool for developers, enabling our teams to focus more on creative tasks and ultimately focus on what matters most: delivering better games to our consumers.

Generative AI was used to support our teams during the development of background assets for 'Crazy Taxi: World Tour'. Assets generated were still subject to review by the development team.

No AI was used in reference to the performers in the game."

So, there you have it. Generative AI was apparently used for "background assets" and were reviewed by the team.

If that's the full extent of its usage, it sounds like the vast majority of the work has been done the traditional way, but it's still a shame to know some artwork, albeit minor, was AI generated.

Original Story: Sammy and I have been clamouring for this game reveal all week long, and it's finally happened. After a teaser a few weeks back, Crazy Taxi: World Tour has been officially unveiled.

While the initial impression is very strong, with The Offspring's All I Want blaring in the announcement trailer, there's an unfortunate twist that we'll get into below:

Here's the official blurb on the video:

"It's time for crazy driving, crazy adventure, and crazy money! Crazy Taxi is back and going global!

Encounter unique characters, tackle a variety of high-octane missions, navigate cities featuring unique terrain and driving challenges, and experience nonstop driving action in this all-new adventure across the globe!"

Again, it looks pretty spot on, but fans have quickly discovered the catch: it's been developed using generative AI.

"At SEGA Corporation, we utilize generative AI as a support tool for developers, aiming to provide better content to our users and enable developers to focus more on creative tasks," reads the disclosure statement on Steam. "We have used such generative AI support tools during development of Crazy Taxi: World Tour. No AI was used in reference to the performers in the game."

So, we don't know to what extent, but generative AI has formed part of development on this title.

This is definitely becoming more common; there will come a point where you'll have to decide how much of a problem you have with it. For me personally, it's pretty disappointing.

It's a shame because, in every other way, this seems like an exciting revival. Crazy Taxi's original creator Kenji Kanno is at the helm, and the game features various ways to play.

This includes a story-driven campaign, in which you play as Axel chasing after the people who stole his taxi. On top of that, there are multiplayer modes to enjoy, various vehicles and customisation options, and even an Arcade mode that lets you play World Tour the way Crazy Taxi was always meant to be played.

It's set for release on PS5 in 2027. What are your thoughts on Crazy Taxi: World Tour? Tell us in the comments section below.

[source kotaku.com]