Microsoft’s foray into AI-generated gaming with its ‘experimental tech demo’ of Quake 2 hasn’t exactly been a rocket jump into success. The tech giant unveiled its Muse system, promising a brave new world of dynamically generated gameplay. The reality, however, seems to be less ‘godlike’ and more ‘god awful,’ according to some corners of the internet.
AI Quake: What is it Good For? Absolutely Nothing?
The demo, accessible via browser, aims to recreate the Quake 2 experience using AI to generate visuals and action on the fly. Microsoft’s Q+A pitched it as a ‘groundbreaking glimpse’ into the future. Geoff Keighley, bless his heart, even shared it. But the reaction? A chorus of digital boos.
The Grunt’s Eye View: Blurry, Laggy, and Forgetful
Initial reactions haven’t been kind. Players have reported blurry graphics, laggy controls, and a frame rate that would make dial-up internet blush. One fan eloquently summarized it as ‘dogshit.’ Others echoed this sentiment, lamenting the overall quality and performance.
But the real kicker? The AI’s attention span. With a ‘context length’ of under a second, anything out of sight is essentially out of mind. Enemies? Architecture? Poof. Gone. Microsoft hilariously spins this as a ‘source of fun,’ suggesting players can cheese the system by looking at the floor to despawn enemies. Fun for whom, exactly?
‘This Ain’t Quake’: The Authenticity Argument
Beyond the technical hiccups, some gamers are questioning the very soul of this AI-generated Quake 2. One user bluntly stated, ‘I don’t know what this shit is but it ain’t Quake.’ Another declared it ‘disgusting on a deeeeep level.’
The core issue seems to be the perceived lack of human artistry. As one comment pointed out, AI risks becoming a ‘lazy method for creativity,’ churning out soulless products devoid of the human element that makes art, well, art. AI butchering textures instead of improving them doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, either.
Preservation or Predation?
Microsoft’s Phil Spencer previously touted AI’s potential for game preservation, envisioning a future where AI models could learn how a game plays without needing the original engine. While the sentiment is nice, Quake 2 is readily available on modern consoles. So, is this preservation, or something else entirely?
Perhaps the goal isn’t really about preserving Quake 2, but rather about pushing the boundaries of AI in gaming, regardless of the immediate reception. And, let’s be honest, generating headlines (even negative ones) is never a bad thing in the tech world. Maybe this is all part of a larger strategy. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s a tech demo that needed a bit more cooking time.
The Future of Fragging (Maybe)
While this AI-powered Quake 2 might not be replacing our meticulously crafted, human-developed games anytime soon, it does offer a glimpse – albeit a blurry, laggy one – into the potential future. Whether that future involves sentient AI fragging alongside us, or simply assisting in development, remains to be seen.
In the meantime, maybe stick to the original Quake 2. At least the textures load properly.
(In lighter news, A Minecraft Movie is out, apparently, and people are losing it over a ‘Chicken Jockey’ scene. But that’s a story for another time.)
Leave a Reply