Sega confirmed this week that generative AI tools were used to support the development of background assets for Crazy Taxi: World Tour, after players noticed a Generative AI disclaimer on the game's Steam store page.
The statement has reignited debate over AI’s role in game production for one of Sega’s best-known franchises.
Background and franchise context
Crazy Taxi began as an arcade title in 1999 and arrived on the Sega Dreamcast in 2000.
The franchise was created by Kenji Kanno and developed by Sega’s Hitmaker studio (formerly Sega AM3), and it has remained a signature arcade-style series for the company.
Crazy Taxi: World Tour is the latest entry to carry that legacy; its Steam listing is the first major storefront presence publicized for the new game.
What Sega said — rewritten for clarity
Sega’s public explanation was condensed on the Steam page and to press.
In journalistic terms, the publisher said it used generative AI as a supplemental tool to help development teams produce content for Crazy Taxi: World Tour, and it specifically noted that the technology was not used to create or reference the game’s performers.
When pressed by Game Informer for further detail, Sega added that generative AI supported teams in creating background assets and that any AI-generated assets were reviewed and approved by the development team before inclusion.
Industry reaction and wider context
The Steam disclosure prompted a notable negative response from portions of the community.
Generative AI remains a polarizing topic across media and entertainment: image-generation models have been trained on extensive datasets that included copyrighted works, and those training practices have led to legal challenges and industry scrutiny.
In games, concerns center on copyright, creative credit, and the potential for tooling to displace traditional art and production roles.
What we know and what remains open
- Platform confirmation: The Steam page confirms a PC release via Steam.
No official Nintendo Switch or eShop announcement has been made by Sega at the time of this report.
- Development oversight: Sega states developers reviewed AI-supported assets before they were finalized.
As Crazy Taxi: World Tour moves through its promotional cycle, publishers and fans alike will be watching how Sega frames AI’s role in development, and whether additional platform or release information follows from the company.
The statement has reignited debate over AI’s role in game production for one of Sega’s best-known franchises.
Background and franchise context
Crazy Taxi began as an arcade title in 1999 and arrived on the Sega Dreamcast in 2000.
The franchise was created by Kenji Kanno and developed by Sega’s Hitmaker studio (formerly Sega AM3), and it has remained a signature arcade-style series for the company.
Crazy Taxi: World Tour is the latest entry to carry that legacy; its Steam listing is the first major storefront presence publicized for the new game.
What Sega said — rewritten for clarity
Sega’s public explanation was condensed on the Steam page and to press.
In journalistic terms, the publisher said it used generative AI as a supplemental tool to help development teams produce content for Crazy Taxi: World Tour, and it specifically noted that the technology was not used to create or reference the game’s performers.
When pressed by Game Informer for further detail, Sega added that generative AI supported teams in creating background assets and that any AI-generated assets were reviewed and approved by the development team before inclusion.
Industry reaction and wider context
The Steam disclosure prompted a notable negative response from portions of the community.
Generative AI remains a polarizing topic across media and entertainment: image-generation models have been trained on extensive datasets that included copyrighted works, and those training practices have led to legal challenges and industry scrutiny.
In games, concerns center on copyright, creative credit, and the potential for tooling to displace traditional art and production roles.
What we know and what remains open
- Platform confirmation: The Steam page confirms a PC release via Steam.
No official Nintendo Switch or eShop announcement has been made by Sega at the time of this report.
- Development oversight: Sega states developers reviewed AI-supported assets before they were finalized.
As Crazy Taxi: World Tour moves through its promotional cycle, publishers and fans alike will be watching how Sega frames AI’s role in development, and whether additional platform or release information follows from the company.