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Navigating Copyright in AI-Enhanced Game Design: Legal Challenges in Multimodal and Dynamic Content Creation

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  • Andrew Begemann

    (Department of Game Design, Lindenwood University, St. Charles City, MO, USA)

  • James Hutson

    (Department of Game Design, Lindenwood University, St. Charles City, MO, USA)

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in video game design has transformed traditional workflows, allowing for the generation of text, images, music, videos, and code at unprecedented scales. However, this advancement presents complex challenges for copyright law, traditionally rooted in human originality and authorship. This article examines recent case law that underscores the evolving legal landscape, exploring landmark cases such as Zarya of the Dawn and Andersen v. Stability AI. These cases reveal the tensions between AI-generated outputs and copyright eligibility, especially in the dynamic, multimodal compositions inherent to video games. The review analyzes how various AI tools are employed across the stages of game development—from design documentation to character modeling, soundtrack composition, and cinematic sequences—and the legal uncertainties surrounding each. Emphasis is placed on the role of human input in determining copyright eligibility, proposing that human-AI co-creation models and enhanced metadata standards may offer pathways to reconcile AI-driven innovation with intellectual property protections. As video games exemplify the unique challenges in AI-generated, temporally interactive works, this study calls for a nuanced copyright framework that acknowledges both technological capabilities and the irreplaceable contribution of human creativity. The findings advocate for policy adaptations that align legal protections with the realities of AI-integrated creative processes, ensuring a balanced approach that supports both innovation and creator rights.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Begemann & James Hutson, 2025. "Navigating Copyright in AI-Enhanced Game Design: Legal Challenges in Multimodal and Dynamic Content Creation," Journal of Information Economics, Anser Press, vol. 3(1), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bba:j00008:v:3:y:2025:i:1:p:1-14:d:400
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Söğüt Atilla, 2024. "Dealing with AI-generated works: lessons from the CDPA section 9(3)," Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice, Oxford University Press, vol. 19(1), pages 43-54.
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