Impact of AI Projects on Creativity and Artists

You can also watch the original interview:

Pandora: Could you tell us about the people behind the games showcased by the Amaze festival, which has been running for a decade now?

Thorsten: In the game development industry, professionals and artists involved in the creative process typically range in age from 18 to 35, with a few exceptions, like myself, who are around 50. They come from diverse backgrounds, including art, digital art, level design, game design, and programming. What unites this diverse group is their passion for creating a new digital culture and movement. They aim to go beyond merely creating entertaining products and instead focus on crafting meaningful works of art that can educate and inspire. Games are viewed as a medium for learning, much like books or films. I look forward to welcoming even more individuals into this community, including those from theater and film backgrounds who embrace technologies like virtual reality (VR). Events like the Amaze festival place a strong emphasis on creativity and creation, not just the business aspects.

Pandora: You’ve been following the intersections of technology and art beyond mainstream and market-driven approaches for some time. Looking back from the founding of Amaze to today, what are your main observations?

Thorsten: I’ve been involved in the game and art scene since the very beginning, especially with the founding of the Amaze festival in 2008. In the early days, there was little discussion about games and art in Germany and Europe. However, this situation gradually changed, and now there’s active engagement in combining games and art. Despite progress, the process is ongoing, with a focus on gaining industry acceptance. It’s crucial that publishers acknowledge and support artist-developers of games rather than forcing them to independently release their creations. Additionally, the importance of marketing power in today’s environment cannot be overstated; it’s essential for achieving visibility and attracting attention. Over the years, there has been increasing acceptance and collaboration with other art forms, such as theater and opera houses. Artists from various backgrounds, including visual arts, now express interest in exploring the realm of games and virtual worlds. This evolution continues and improves, driven by the desire to create immersive world-building experiences. The goal is to provide people with the opportunity to experience something they wouldn’t encounter in their everyday lives.

Pandora:Do you believe that indie and “arthouse” games have a bright future? What are some of the main characteristics we can expect to see as they move forward?

Thorsten:When we started, indie games were very popular, but in Germany, we didn’t have a similar scene. So, we created Amaze Berlin, a festival that supports indie games and artistic projects. At that time, there was no funding system for these projects, but now we have foundations that support creative ideas through platforms like Kickstarter and Patreon. This enables us to make a living from our passion and creativity. We’re excited that Amaze Berlin has become a recognizable brand, attracting talented individuals to Berlin. Over the years, the festival has evolved, and we are now increasingly focusing on art-house games. We believe that many changes and innovations will occur in this field over the next 10 years.

Pandora: As an artist, how do you understand the concept of “data”? Can data be “fun”?

Thorsten:Any form of content can be enjoyable. I recall meeting an artist who works with biology and human data, and there’s potential to incorporate such data into games. However, ethical aspects are crucial, and finding a balance to ensure responsible use of this data is vital. I believe in the importance of multicultural diversity and creating safe spaces, both in game development and within the games themselves. I suggest including warnings about potentially disturbing content if games contain such material.

Pandora: Today, there’s increasing talk about AI-driven art, especially with projects like Dali 2 and Mid Journey. What does this mean for creativity, and what do these projects signify for artists in the future?

Thorsten:I’m thrilled about AI and its potential applications. AI can enhance the creative process and provide inspiration. I also asked AI artists if there’s AI that actually generates games, and they’re working on something similar. You can input text, and it will generate code, resulting in a game. That’s fantastic in some ways, although I believe that currently, AI still struggles to understand certain nuances in playing games and grasping narratives. Nonetheless, I remain optimistic about the future of AI and look forward to celebrating its progress.

If you’re interested in the future of game development with artificial intelligence, you have the opportunity to apply for this year’s Pandora Conference, which will be held at Sava Centar from November 22 to 23.

Early bird tickets are available until September 18 through the website, and the entire playlist of last year’s lectures is available here: