Sega Clarifies Generative AI Use in Upcoming Crazy Taxi Revival
The reveal of Crazy Taxi: World Tour during the Xbox Summer Showcase generated strong reactions from longtime fans eager to see the arcade racing franchise return in modern form. However, excitement around the announcement quickly shifted toward debate after the game’s Steam page disclosed the use of generative AI during development.
Following concerns from players online, Sega and the game’s development team have now provided additional details about how the technology was used in the project.
Steam Disclosure Sparked Questions From Fans
The original statement published on Steam offered only a broad explanation regarding AI involvement in Crazy Taxi: World Tour. According to the listing, Sega uses generative AI as a support tool intended to help developers focus more on creative work.
The statement also emphasized that no AI was used in relation to performers featured in the game.
While disclosures about AI-assisted development have become increasingly common across the video game industry, the lack of specifics led to criticism from some players concerned about how much of the game may have relied on automated content generation.
Sega Says AI Was Limited to Background Asset Support
After questions emerged online, a Sega spokesperson provided a more detailed explanation. The company said generative AI was used only to assist with the creation of background assets during development.
According to Sega, any AI-generated material still underwent review by the game’s development team before being considered for inclusion.
The company reiterated that no AI tools were used in connection with voice actors or character performers.
The clarification mirrors a broader trend across the gaming industry, where publishers are increasingly trying to balance efficiency-focused AI tools with concerns from players and creative professionals about originality and artistic control.
Producer Kenji Kanno Offers More Specific Details
During a recent gameplay presentation, Crazy Taxi series creator and Crazy Taxi: World Tour lead producer Kenji Kanno addressed the controversy directly and provided additional insight into the design process.
Kanno explained that generative AI played only a small supporting role during early creative development and idea generation.
He said the game’s artists and designers traveled to real-world locations for research as part of building the environments featured in the game’s world tour concept. While Sega has not yet revealed all of the countries included, Kanno noted that the development team gathered reference materials firsthand before creating designs internally.
According to Kanno, AI tools were occasionally used as part of brainstorming and concept exploration, rather than as a replacement for the team’s original artwork.
He also acknowledged that the wording on the Steam page may have been too vague, leading to misunderstandings about the extent of AI involvement.
Kanno stressed that the development team remains committed to creating original work and said the final product would reflect the efforts of Sega’s artists and designers rather than relying on AI-generated content.
Franchise Revival Aims to Modernize Classic Arcade Gameplay
Despite the debate surrounding AI use, early impressions of Crazy Taxi: World Tour suggest the game is designed as a modernized version of the fast-paced arcade experience that made the franchise popular during the Sega Dreamcast era in the early 2000s.
The original Crazy Taxi became known for its chaotic driving mechanics, time-based passenger pickups, and energetic presentation, helping establish it as one of Sega’s most recognizable arcade properties.
The upcoming title appears to retain that core gameplay formula while expanding the scale of the environments and introducing multiple international locations.
Release Planned for 2027
Crazy Taxi: World Tour is currently scheduled for release in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
As game publishers continue experimenting with generative AI tools, Sega’s handling of the discussion around Crazy Taxi: World Tour highlights the growing pressure on developers to clearly explain how emerging technologies are being used in game production.
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