Team of 10 Can Create Breath of the Wild Game with AI Help

Epic Games' Tim Sweeney has predicted that small development teams will soon harness AI prompts to create massive video games, comparable to titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Speaking at the State of Unreal 2025 event, Sweeney emphasized that AI will revolutionize game engines, making it feasible for smaller teams to craft complex games by simplifying dialogue creation and character interactions. He cited past technological advancements that have spawned new genres, likening this era to the rise of 3D gaming and the battle royale trend. The recent use of AI in Fortnite, featuring an AI-powered Darth Vader, underscores this potential but also raises ethical concerns regarding the use of deceased actors' voices. Despite this, Sweeney remains optimistic about AI's ability to empower creators across the industry.

AI is set to streamline the game development process by enabling small teams to create expansive worlds and sophisticated narratives with minimal resources. This technology simplifies how dialogue is generated and allows for deeper player interactions, ultimately making it easier for indie developers to compete with larger studios.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, released in 2017, is heralded for its open-world gameplay and immersive mechanics. It represents a significant evolution in design philosophy for Nintendo, emphasizing player freedom and exploration. The possibility of creating similar expansive experiences through AI suggests a transformative future for game development, potentially leading to new genres and gameplay styles that elevate indie and AAA titles alike.