Ex-EA Exec Says AI Cannot Save Poor Game Development Teams
David Gardner, the 11th employee hired at Electronic Arts in 1982, has transitioned from a decades-long career in the gaming industry to venture capital. After co-founding EA Europe and overseeing the EA Sports franchise’s regional expansion, Gardner left EA in 2007 and later became CEO of Atari before joining London Venture Partners as a co-founder.
In a recent interview with The Game Business, Gardner offered insights into how artificial intelligence could revitalize investor interest in gaming. He argues that an “AI and small teams” model represents a viable path for developing new intellectual property, suggesting that AI tools could enable smaller development studios to compete more effectively and reduce development barriers.
However, Gardner acknowledged a broader truth about venture capital’s track record in gaming: despite numerous attempts to enter the sector, VCs have struggled to find consistent success. His commentary reflects industry skepticism about whether VC funding models align well with game development’s unique challenges and timelines. Yet Gardner’s perspective suggests that AI democratization could be the catalyst that finally makes gaming a more attractive investment for venture capitalists, by lowering costs and enabling leaner teams to achieve ambitious creative visions.