Microsoft is making strides in the realm of generative artificial intelligence with the launch of Muse, an AI model specifically designed for gaming. This model, reportedly trained on Ninja Theory’s multiplayer game Bleeding Edge, aims to assist game developers by understanding game physics and 3D environments, thereby generating visuals and player reactions. One of the notable features Microsoft highlights is Muse’s potential in game preservation, which could allow classic titles to be optimized for modern hardware.
Fatima Kardar, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for Gaming AI, expressed enthusiasm about the model’s capability, suggesting it could revive beloved games that were lost to technological advances. The company intends to investigate further applications of generative AI, saying they consulted 27 global game creators to ensure their research aligns with developer needs.
However, the reaction within the gaming community has not been as optimistic. Developers, including David Goldfarb, founder of The Outsiders, have expressed strong negative sentiments towards Muse, suggesting that it threatens the artistic integrity and effort that game developers invest in their work. Goldfarb criticized generative AI for its potential to displace skilled artisans and diminish the craft of game development.
Amid growing interest from corporate executives, the technology has garnered criticism from those who actually create games. There is a widespread belief that AI could undermine the complex processes of creativity and artistry in game design. A developer, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared concerns about the prioritization of shareholder interests over the quality of games, stating that the focus seems to be more on demonstrating Microsoft’s commitment to generative AI than on creating desirable products.
Microsoft asserts that Muse is being utilized to develop real-time playable AI models trained on first-party games. While proponents argue that generative AI could facilitate rapid prototyping in game development, concerns linger regarding its ability to capture the nuanced learning experiences that human developers gain during the creative process.
As the discourse continues, Microsoft faces a challenge: convincing the developer community of the benefits while navigating a landscape that is increasingly uneasy about the implications of generative AI in game development.
