Microsoft has created a playable "interactive space inspired" by Quake II utilizing AI, and it's sparked a vociferous debate online.
As noticed by PC Gamer, the demo is powered by Microsoft's recently announced Muse and the World and Human Action Model (WHAM) AI system, and "can dynamically create gameplay visuals and simulate player behavior in real-time," which suggests a semi-playable atmosphere has been generated solely by way of AI and with out an in-game engine.
"In this real-time tech demo, Copilot dynamically generates gameplay sequences inspired by the classic game Quake II," Microsoft explained. "Every input you make triggers the next AI-generated moment in the game, almost as if you were playing the original Quake II running on a traditional game engine. Enjoy the experience, share your thoughts, and help shape the future of AI-powered gameplay experiences.
"This bite-sized demo pulls you into an interactive space impressed by Quake II, the place AI crafts immersive visuals and responsive action on the fly. It’s a groundbreaking glimpse at a model new method of interacting with video games, turning cutting-edge analysis into a fast and compelling playable demo.(*2*)Every body is created on the fly by an AI world mannequin."
Play it here:https://t.co/WGQymDOmsj pic.twitter.com/35MX5aHPbF
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) April 5, 2025
"Man, I don't need the long run of video games to be AI-generated slop," said one Redditor. "There can be a level the place it will likely be simpler to make use of AI, after which all of the grasping studios will do it completely. The human factor can be eliminated.
"And the worst part is gamers will buy it. They buy skins for 100 dollars. They will buy whatever you sell them."
"Microsoft's boast that they want 'to build a whole catalog of games that use this new AI model,' despite it not being clear if the current technique will ever even be capable of letting you turn around without moving to a random point on the map let alone come up with an original game, really typifies what's wrong with AI and the tech industry," added one other.
"I had a better experience literally just imagining the game in my head," said one other commenter.
Not everybody was so fast to dismiss it, nonetheless.
"I don't know why everything has to be doom and gloom," said a more cheery respondent. "It's a demo for a reason. It shows the future possibilities. Having an AI that is able to create a coherent and consistent world is crazy. But this cannot be used to create a full game or anything enjoyable. You cannot play this. Seems like a tool for early concept/pitching phase. This can also bring improvement in other fields in AI as what it is doing is impressive.
"This shouldn’t be even a product but however a demo exhibiting how a lot they've improved from simply a few months in the past."
Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney had a rather different response:
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) April 5, 2025
Generative AI is one of the hottest topics within the video game and entertainment industries, which have both suffered massive layoffs in recent years. It has drawn criticism from players and creators due to a mix of ethical issues, rights issues, and AI’s struggles to produce content audiences actually enjoy. For instance, Keywords Studios attempted to create an experimental game internally using entirely AI. The game failed, with Keywords citing to investors that AI was “unable to replace talent.”
Still, that hasn’t put off a number of video game companies from using generative AI in the development of their products. Activision recently disclosed the use of generative AI for some Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 assets as part of new requirements on Steam, amid a backlash to an "AI slop" zombie Santa loading display.
And final month, Horizon actor Ashly Burch addressed a controversial AI Aloy video that leaked online, utilizing it to call consideration to the calls for of placing voice actors.
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and advisor. She's additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.