Pragmata's newly revealed New York stage was painstakingly made by human developers to look "AI generated," according to director

As the release of Pragmata approaches, excitement is building around its unique game design and world-building. Scheduled to launch on April 17, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version following on April 24, the game has already garnered attention for its distinctive approach to creating a cityscape reminiscent of New York. During a recent press event, director Cho Yonghee and producer Naoto Oyama provided insights into the creative process behind this “AI-generated” environment.

The Concept of an AI-Generated City

In a joint media interview with 4Gamer, Cho and Oyama shared that the New York-like stage was intentionally designed to evoke the feeling of being “AI-generated.” According to Cho, the premise of Pragmata is built around the idea of “a fake New York generated by AI.” This concept allows players to recognize familiar locations while simultaneously experiencing a sense of surreal distortion.

Designing the Distorted Cityscape

The design team aimed to create a city that feels both recognizable and distinctly unreal. Cho explained, “When familiar locations appear, players can relate more easily. On top of that, to make it clear that this isn’t the real New York, we wanted something slightly distorted.” This approach is reflected in the game’s visuals, featuring inverted streets and taxis that appear to be cut off midway, creating a sense of the uncanny.

Unique Visual Elements

Oyama elaborated on the visual elements of the game, stating, “It mirrors reality, but its unique appeal comes from the setting errors and how they feel out of place, such as taxis sinking into floors or buses sprouting from walls.” This blend of reality and distortion is designed to enhance the player’s experience, emphasizing the game’s AI-generated theme.

The Role of Human Developers

Despite the AI-generated premise, the creation of this cityscape was a painstaking process carried out by human developers. Oyama noted that the team worked diligently to incorporate mechanisms that express this AI-like uncanny feel. “Although the premise is that it is generated by AI, actually, our human developers painstakingly worked to incorporate mechanisms that express this AI-like uncanny feel,” he explained.

Balancing Distortion and Gameplay

Creating these distortions required careful consideration to ensure they were visually interesting without distracting players from the gameplay. Cho emphasized the challenge of balancing distortion to be both unique and merely background. “Distortion is when something takes a shape that people have never seen before, and things unseen before are considered unique. But if the shapes are too unusual, players might think they’re related to puzzles or that the terrain has some hidden meaning,” he said.

Thanks to the team’s balancing efforts, Oyama mentioned that they have not received any feedback indicating that players found it difficult to navigate the paths within the game.

Exploring Other Cities

While the New York stage is a significant focus, Cho revealed that Pragmata will feature other cities as well. However, these will be “somewhere else on Earth” rather than fully urbanized stages. The New York setting itself is described as a “mix of various cultures, like Madrid or Seoul,” rather than a direct reproduction of the actual city.

Gameplay Mechanics

In addition to its unique visual design, Pragmata promises engaging gameplay mechanics. Players will have the option to complete the game primarily through hacking, gunplay, or a combination of both, depending on their preferred play style. This flexibility allows players to tailor their experience to their liking, enhancing the overall immersion in the game’s world.

Conclusion

Pragmata’s innovative approach to game design, blending AI-generated aesthetics with human creativity, sets it apart in the gaming landscape. As players prepare to explore its surreal cityscapes and engaging gameplay mechanics, the anticipation for its release continues to grow. With its unique premise and careful attention to detail, Pragmata is poised to offer a memorable gaming experience when it launches in April 2026.

Note: The information presented in this article is based on insights from director Cho Yonghee and producer Naoto Oyama, as well as details provided during a recent press event.