Xbox has used its new AI software program to recreate the enduring Quake 2 and gaming followers aren’t blissful.
The “experimental tech demo” makes use of Microsoft’s not too long ago unveiled Muse system and “dynamically generates gameplay sequences” impressed by 1997’s Quake 2. “Each enter you make triggers the following AI-generated second within the recreation, virtually as for those who had been taking part in the unique Quake 2 working on a standard recreation engine,” defined Microsoft in a Q+A.
“This bite-sized demo pulls you into an interactive house impressed by Quake 2, the place AI crafts immersive visuals and responsive motion on the fly,” the continued. “It’s a groundbreaking glimpse at a model new approach of interacting with video games, turning cutting-edge analysis into a fast and compelling playable demo.”
The AI-powered recreation of Quake 2 is out there to check out in browsers now. Over the weekend, Geoff Keighley additionally shared the sport however followers aren’t impressed with the innovative tech.
"we made a program that vaguely and inaccurately imagines what it’d appear like for those who had been taking part in quake 2 proper now! It requires all the identical tools you possibly can as an alternative use to truly play quake 2, however requires a billion occasions extra electrical energy. Test it out!!" https://t.co/nISslzb4oq
— Lance McDonald (@manfightdragon) April 6, 2025
“Wow! it’s dogshit,” wrote one fan with many others having points with blurry graphics, laggy controls and the poor body fee. The AI engine additionally has a “context size” of underneath a second, that means that the tech will neglect any enemies or structure that aren’t in view for greater than a second. “This can be a supply of enjoyable, whereby you’ll be able to defeat or spawn enemies by trying on the ground for a second after which trying again up,” wrote Microsoft.
“I don’t know what this shit is nevertheless it ain’t Quake,” mentioned one fan. “This disgusts me on a deeeeep stage,” added one other.
“AI has it’s makes use of however I’m merely not inquisitive about gaming firms utilizing it as a fast, simple and finally lazy methodology for creativity. We’ve already seen its use and up to now, it’s butchered textures slightly than enhancing them, bringing into query why anybody would genuinely want to hand over cash for what’s primarily an much more soulless product than traditional. Artwork is artwork due to the human component – not some pre-programmed guesstimate of that component,” defined a 3rd fan.
Saying the Muse AI instrument earlier this 12 months, Microsoft boss Phil Spencer mentioned: “We’ve talked about recreation preservation as an exercise for us, and these fashions and their skill to be taught fully how a recreation performs with out the need of the unique engine working on the unique {hardware} opens up a ton of alternative.” Nonetheless Quake 2 remains to be out there on a variety of fashionable consoles.
In different information, A Minecraft Film hit cinemas final week (April 4) and followers are going nuts over the viral “Hen Jockey” scene.
The put up ‘Quake 2’ AI duplicate hasn’t gone down effectively with avid gamers: “This disgusts me” appeared first on NME.
