Capcom is evolving its proprietary RE Engine into an AI-generating game engine through a multi-year project called REX.
Satoshi Ishida identifies three development bottlenecks
During the Capcom Open Conference RE: 2026 on October 2, programmer Satoshi Ishida detailed the transition to the REX project. According to IGN, citing the Japanese outlet GameBiz, Ishida identified three primary challenges driving the change: the increasing scale of games making simple processes time-consuming, the need for simpler tools for larger development teams, and the necessity of AI integration to maintain efficiency.
Did you know? The current RE Engine serves as the technical foundation for several of Capcom’s major franchises, including the Street Fighter series.
REX targets efficiency through shared programming standards
Capcom is building REX upon its existing engine architecture instead of starting from scratch. GameBiz reports that the project aims to improve performance, quality assurance, and development tools. To make the system more accessible to both human developers and AI, Capcom is consolidating the system under a common programming language.
Some of these improvements are being released as open source specifically for AI training. While the company is exploring AI applications in programming, sound, and graphics to increase production speed, Capcom has stated it will not use AI-generated resources directly within its games.
AI integration vs direct asset generation
The company’s goal to create games “together with AI” contrasts with its refusal to place AI-generated content in final products. This distinction places the AI’s role in the pipeline—assisting the creator—rather than replacing the final output. The specific practical application of this “together with AI” approach remains open to interpretation until further REX updates are released.
Industry Context: The shift toward AI-assisted pipelines reflects a broader industry debate over the role of generative AI in creative work and production efficiency.
Common questions about the REX project
Will AI-generated characters or textures appear in future Capcom games?
No. Capcom has stated it will not use AI-generated resources directly in its games, focusing instead on using AI to speed up the production process.
What specific games currently use the RE Engine?
The RE Engine is the foundation for major series including Street Fighter, as well as other titles in Capcom’s catalog.
Is the REX project a completely new engine?
It is a gradual evolution of the RE Engine. Capcom is building upon existing technology rather than developing a new engine from the ground up.
Future REX updates will determine how this AI-integrated approach functions for the teams managing Capcom’s game library.