Tetsu Okano, the veteran developer known for directing the Dreamcast RPG simulation Segagaga, has confirmed that his new Steam run-and-gun title HIJURA SCARLET GEAR was developed with extensive use of generative AI.
Released via HUGA Inc.'s Steam page, the project's store listing includes an AI-Generated Content Disclosure that details how the studio used generative AI for code assistance tools and image generation during development.
Okano, who also operates under the name Zorge Ichizo, framed the project as intentionally provocative.
The developer promoted HIJURA SCARLET GEAR as an 'AI-Toxic' release and described the concept as a creative confrontation between a 35-year industry veteran and emergent AI technologies.
In posts on social platforms, Okano said he deliberately pushed generative AI to its limits to see what would happen when an experienced developer relied heavily on those tools.
He acknowledged the controversy surrounding AI in games and conceded that some players could react negatively to the approach, while also saying he has never aimed to play it safe with his creative work.
The HUGA Inc.
Steam disclosure explicitly states the studio 'actively adopts and utilises generative AI technology' and lists specific uses in HIJURA SCARLET GEAR for both development workflows and visual asset generation.
The statement also clarifies that HUGA Inc. intends to operate in accordance with applicable regulations and platform rules and will not engage in individual debates about legal interpretations related to AI content.
The announcement arrives amid a broader industry debate: generative AI has become a polarizing topic for developers, platforms, and players, prompting new disclosure practices on storefronts such as Steam and renewed discussion about tool provenance and creative authorship.
While HIJURA SCARLET GEAR is presented primarily as a Steam release, the conversation around AI in games extends across platforms, including Nintendo Switch and its eShop, where platform policies and community sentiment factor into how developers communicate about AI use.
For industry observers, Okano's public embrace of generative AI is notable because it contrasts with other studios that have sought to limit public discussion of AI tools.
HUGA Inc.'s transparent disclosure and Okano's candid messaging provide a documented example of a developer electing to foreground AI in their development process rather than conceal it.
The move underscores how generative AI is transitioning from experimental tool to an explicitly acknowledged component of contemporary game development.
Released via HUGA Inc.'s Steam page, the project's store listing includes an AI-Generated Content Disclosure that details how the studio used generative AI for code assistance tools and image generation during development.
Okano, who also operates under the name Zorge Ichizo, framed the project as intentionally provocative.
The developer promoted HIJURA SCARLET GEAR as an 'AI-Toxic' release and described the concept as a creative confrontation between a 35-year industry veteran and emergent AI technologies.
In posts on social platforms, Okano said he deliberately pushed generative AI to its limits to see what would happen when an experienced developer relied heavily on those tools.
He acknowledged the controversy surrounding AI in games and conceded that some players could react negatively to the approach, while also saying he has never aimed to play it safe with his creative work.
The HUGA Inc.
Steam disclosure explicitly states the studio 'actively adopts and utilises generative AI technology' and lists specific uses in HIJURA SCARLET GEAR for both development workflows and visual asset generation.
The statement also clarifies that HUGA Inc. intends to operate in accordance with applicable regulations and platform rules and will not engage in individual debates about legal interpretations related to AI content.
The announcement arrives amid a broader industry debate: generative AI has become a polarizing topic for developers, platforms, and players, prompting new disclosure practices on storefronts such as Steam and renewed discussion about tool provenance and creative authorship.
While HIJURA SCARLET GEAR is presented primarily as a Steam release, the conversation around AI in games extends across platforms, including Nintendo Switch and its eShop, where platform policies and community sentiment factor into how developers communicate about AI use.
For industry observers, Okano's public embrace of generative AI is notable because it contrasts with other studios that have sought to limit public discussion of AI tools.
HUGA Inc.'s transparent disclosure and Okano's candid messaging provide a documented example of a developer electing to foreground AI in their development process rather than conceal it.
The move underscores how generative AI is transitioning from experimental tool to an explicitly acknowledged component of contemporary game development.
