Microsoft Quake 2 AI Tech Demo Leads to Fan Backlash

Microsoft has unveiled an AI-generated remake of Quake 2, and many fans have not taken kindly to the announcement. The use of generative AI in video games has only grown more contentious as it’s become more prominent, but some studios still remain bullish on the technology’s potential. Microsoft’s new Quake 2 project is the latest example of this disconnect between fans and companies.

When Microsoft first developed its game-generating model, Muse, Xbox cited how AI could revive old games, and now it has put that idea to the test. Its in-browser demo replicates the 1997 FPS classic Quake 2 entirely through AI. As excited as Microsoft may have been about the accomplishment, though, it seems fans were less impressed by the concept.

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Microsoft launched the AI-generated Quake 2 demo on April 5, and fans were quick to criticize it on social media. Some called out how it offers no perceived advantage over playing the original game while consuming considerably more energy. Others called it out for the potential long-term implications for human developers. While this specific instance is just a tech demo, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has said Muse could generate entire games in the future, which some fear may put dev jobs at risk.

Fans Criticize Microsoft’s AI Quake 2 Demo for Poor Performance and Developer Impact

Many responses pointed out how the AI-generated remake seemingly ran worse than the decades-old original. Fans highlighted low frame rates and smearing between frames that give it away as a clearly AI-generated piece of content. Others suggested that it doesn’t represent a technological step forward, either, as generating something based on the original Quake 2 code still requires someone to have made the game manually in the first place. Most of the replies echo a similar sentiment that’s existed across previous controversies over AI in gaming. Even industry professionals like Baldur’s Gate 3 actor Samantha Béart have said generative AI will “ruin” studios’ reputations, but companies will use it anyway to save money.

Where Microsoft will take Muse from here remains uncertain. It’s not the only company that has experimented with generating game sequences or assets with AI, either. Earlier this year, Capcom announced it was testing AI in development, although its approach seems more focused on helping devs get inspiration rather than doing asset-creation work for them. If one thing is certain, though, it’s that many fans are less than enthusiastic about the concept of AI-generated games.

Developed by id Software in 1997, Quake II is a critically acclaimed first-person shooter that introduces an entirely new science fiction narrative and setting. Now, experience the authentic, enhanced and complete version of the original.

Mankind is at war with the Strogg, a hostile alien race that attacked Earth. In response, humanity launched a strike on the Strogg homeworld…it failed, but you survived. Outnumbered and outgunned, fight your way through fortified military installations and shut down the enemy’s war machine. Only then will the fate of humanity be known.

Released

December 9, 1997

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Violence, Language

Engine

Quake II engine

Franchise

Quake

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

PC Release Date

December 9, 1997

Xbox Series X|S Release Date

August 10, 2023

PS5 Release Date

August 10, 2023

Nintendo Switch Release Date

August 10, 2023

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer

Number of Players

1-32

How Long To Beat

8 Hours

X|S Optimized

Yes

File Size Xbox Series

2 GB (November 2023)

Steam Deck Compatibility

Playable

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