Capcom’s REX Project Targets AI-Assisted Game Development

Capcom plans to evolve the RE Engine gradually through a multi-stage project called REX, with the long-term goal of making it an AI-generation game engine. The focus described so far is on using AI to speed up and streamline development, not on generating game assets wholesale.

At Capcom Open Conference RE: 2026 on October 2, programmer Satoshi Ishida presented the outlook for REX and the next generation of the engine. IGN reported, citing Japanese outlet GameBiz, that Ishida identified three challenges: growing game scale is making simple processes time-consuming, larger teams need tools that are easier to use, and AI integration is becoming important to development efficiency.

According to GameBiz’s account, REX is intended to improve development efficiency, performance, tools and quality assurance. Capcom is opting to build on the existing engine rather than start from scratch, and some improvements are being made open-source for AI training; the system is also being unified under a common programming language to make it more accessible to developers and AI. The RE Engine underpins major franchises including Street Fighter.

Capcom has previously said it would not put AI-generated assets into its games, while exploring AI’s use in graphics, sound and programming to improve production efficiency. Its stated ambition to make games alongside AI leaves the practical scope of that work open; future REX updates will have to show what the approach means for teams working across Capcom’s catalogue. The debate over AI’s role in creative work continues across the industry, including in discussions of generative AI in game development.