Microsoft has recently unveiled a playable "interactive space" inspired by Quake II, leveraging its new AI technologies, Muse and the World and Human Action Model (WHAM). This demo, highlighted by PC Gamer, showcases AI's ability to dynamically generate gameplay visuals and simulate player behavior in real-time, creating a semi-playable environment without relying on a traditional game engine.
According to Microsoft, "In this real-time tech demo, Copilot dynamically generates gameplay sequences inspired by the classic game Quake II. 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." The demo offers a glimpse into an interactive space where AI crafts immersive visuals and responsive actions on the fly, highlighting cutting-edge research translated into a playable demo.
Despite the impressive technical capabilities described by Microsoft, the demo's reception has been largely negative. After Geoff Keighley shared a video of the demo on X / Twitter, the response was overwhelmingly critical. One Redditor expressed concern over the future of gaming, stating, "Man, I don't want the future of games to be AI-generated slop... The human element will be removed. And the worst part is gamers will buy it." Another critic remarked, "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." A third commenter humorously added, "I had a better experience literally just imagining the game in my head."
However, not all feedback was negative. A more optimistic view came from a user who noted, "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 is not even a product yet but a demo showing how much they've improved from just a few months ago."
Epic Games' Tim Sweeney offered a succinct, yet pointed critique via a tweet, reflecting the broader industry's mixed feelings on AI in gaming.
The topic of generative AI remains a hot-button issue in the video game and entertainment sectors, which have seen significant layoffs in recent years. Critics point to ethical and rights issues, as well as the challenge AI faces in creating content that resonates with audiences. Keywords Studios, for example, attempted an experimental game using entirely AI but failed, citing that AI was "unable to replace talent." Despite such setbacks, companies like Activision have disclosed using generative AI for certain assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, amidst backlash to what some have called "AI slop."
The conversation around AI in gaming was further fueled last month when Horizon actor Ashly Burch addressed a leaked AI-generated video of Aloy, using it to highlight the concerns of striking voice actors.
