Game Designer Justin Gary Urges Creators to Embrace AI at Gen Con Panel

In August, Justin Gary, a game designer and the author behind the newsletter "Think Like A Game Designer," took part in a panel at Gen Con discussing the future of AI in the gaming industry. The discussion was highly emotional, with one participant visibly upset about the possible end of his career. Following this, Gary wrote an article titled "Staying Human In The Age Of AI," where he posits that AI should be seen as a beneficial tool for creators rather than a threat. He references a Stanford study indicating that 88% of organizations are currently utilizing AI and highlights its rapid advancements, from tackling complex math problems to producing high-quality video content. Gary encourages creators to cultivate their distinct voice, foster transparent audience relationships, and explore AI tools. He shares his personal journey of launching various software projects without coding skills by leveraging Claude Code and keeping a "second brain" of notes in Obsidian for AI context. He believes AI contributes to job creation, enabling him to employ more artists, designers, and engineers. Gary urges creators to dedicate 8-10 hours to building tangible projects with AI to fully grasp its capabilities.