Nomion Games emerges as a fresh contender in the gaming landscape, founded by the innovative minds of Dmitri Ogorodnikov and German Terekhov, both of whom previously contributed their talents to Battlestate Games. With their departure from the studio that brought us Escape From Tarkov, they carry a rich tapestry of experience and insights into the evolving dynamics of the gaming industry. At the core of Nomion’s philosophy lies a belief articulated by Ogorodnikov: “creative potential, accumulated experience, and ambition should not be put on hold.”
AI’s Role in Game Development
As the conversation around AI integration in video game development continues to spark debate—often for contentious reasons—Ogordnikov and Terekhov are poised to address these concerns head-on with their upcoming title, Rush is Real. When asked about the potential application of AI in their project, Ogorodnikov expressed a thoughtful perspective. He views AI not merely as a controversial tool but as an essential component of modern game development. “Like a sculptor’s chisel, AI is a modern tool that’s foolish to ignore,” he asserts. “Everyone needs to learn how to use it—ride the wave—especially with all the talk that AI will take everyone’s jobs.”
Adding to this discourse, former Blizzard VP Jeff Kaplan recently highlighted AI’s capacity to alleviate some of the more tedious aspects of game development, thereby allowing creators to focus on the more imaginative elements of their work. Ogorodnikov expands on this idea, emphasizing AI’s potential in the early stages of ideation. “Ambition often gets stuck because ideas take too long to realize,” he explains. “In traditional setups, going from idea to prototype can take months of meetings. AI can allow you to generate dozens of rough drafts in just hours to quickly find that unique spark.” However, he firmly believes that “the final decision and the finishing touch must always come from a human hand.”
While Ogorodnikov’s enthusiasm for AI is palpable, he underscores the necessity of establishing clear boundaries for its application. “Shooter development involves a lot of monotonous work: technical textures, environment variations, code optimization,” he notes. “This is where potential gets stuck—when a talented artist spends years drawing typical crates. AI can free them from routine tasks where possible, letting them focus on creative work.” Yet, he cautions against allowing AI to dictate critical player experiences, such as level design and gameplay mechanics, warning that over-reliance could lead to a loss of identity and creativity.
As Nomion navigates the integration of AI into their development process, they remain acutely aware of the pitfalls that can accompany such technology. The gaming community has voiced concerns over AI-generated content in various titles, including Escape From Tarkov Arena and Crimson Desert, which faced backlash for employing AI-generated art. Ogorodnikov acknowledges the importance of vigilance in this area, recognizing that even the clearest boundaries can become blurred. For Nomion, the challenge lies in leveraging AI to enhance efficiency while ensuring that Rush is Real retains its unique voice and vision amidst a landscape that can easily veer towards the generic.
