Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Game Design

Department

Game Design

First Advisor

Ben Fulcher

Second Advisor

Jeremiah Ratican

Third Advisor

Daniel Plate

Abstract

This project report examines how Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) can be integrated into the early formation and operations of an independent/indie game studio. Using a qualitative, practice-based single-case study approach, the project focused on Boar’s Head Studio, LLC. A human-in-the-loop approach was maintained with Generative AI used to support company formation, ideation, planning, documentation, analysis, coding assistance, marketing preparation, and community-building preparation

The report concludes that Generative AI can serve as a meaningful system integrated into the studio pipeline when used with structured, repeatable, human-in-the-loop processes. The project contributes a practical, case-based framework that may be useful to other studios seeking to integrate Generative AI into their workflows and pipelines.

Research Highlights

The Problem: Solo independent developers face limited resources, intense market competition, and the complex logistical requirements of establishing a legal business entity while managing production and marketing pipelines. 

The Method: A qualitative, practice-based single-case study of Boar's Head Studio, LLC utilized a human-in-the-loop framework to integrate Generative AI across the full studio pipeline, including business formation, game design, and community building. 

Quantitative Finding: VR headsets are utilized by only 10% of video game players compared to 64% on mobile and 54% on consoles; the Meta Quest marketplace contains under 1,000 games, representing approximately 2.4% of games on Steam and 0.8% of those on Itch.io. 

Qualitative Finding: Generative AI is most effective in an indie studio context as a structured augmentation system rather than full automation; the "Committee" and "Work-Team" prompt patterns allow solo developers to simulate specialized staff expertise and executive decision support.

Finding: While Generative AI output is not copyrightable in the United States without human artistic manipulation, studios can claim copyright on works where AI-generated content is sufficiently modified or arranged in an original way.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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