Microsoft has developed an AI-driven interactive experience inspired by Quake II, igniting intense online debates.

As reported by PC Gamer, this demo leverages Microsoft’s newly unveiled Muse and World and Human Action Model (WHAM) AI system, enabling real-time generation of gameplay visuals and player behavior simulation without a traditional game engine.

“In this live tech demo, Copilot creates dynamic gameplay sequences inspired by the iconic Quake II,” Microsoft explained. “Each player input prompts the AI to craft the next moment, mimicking the feel of the original Quake II on a conventional engine. Dive in, share feedback, and help shape the future of AI-driven gaming.”

“This compact demo immerses you in a Quake II-inspired world, where AI generates vivid visuals and responsive actions instantly. It offers a pioneering look at a new way to engage with games, transforming cutting-edge research into a concise, engaging demo.”

While this sounds remarkable, the demo itself has underwhelmed many.

After The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley posted a short clip of the demo on X / Twitter, it drew hundreds of responses, most of them critical.

Microsoft has crafted an AI-generated Quake II playable in browsers.

"Every frame is dynamically created by an AI world model."

Play it here: https://t.co/WGQymDOmsj pic.twitter.com/35MX5aHPbF

— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) April 5, 2025

“I don’t want gaming’s future to be low-quality AI content,” a Redditor remarked. “Soon, it’ll be cheaper to use AI, and profit-driven studios will fully embrace it, stripping away the human touch.”

“Gamers will buy it, though. They spend $100 on skins, so they’ll buy anything,” they added.

“Microsoft’s claim of building an entire game catalog with this AI model—when it can’t even handle basic movement without glitching—highlights the flaws in AI and tech’s overhype,” noted another critic.

“I had more fun just picturing the game in my mind,” commented another user.

Not all feedback was negative, however.

“Why all the pessimism?” a more optimistic commenter said. “This is a demo, not a finished product. It hints at future potential. Creating a consistent AI-generated world is incredible, even if it’s not playable yet. It’s likely a tool for early-stage game concepts or pitches and could advance other AI fields.”

“This isn’t a product; it’s a demo showcasing progress from just months ago,” they added.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney offered a different perspective:

pic.twitter.com/XidCvhLDTI

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) April 5, 2025

Generative AI remains a polarizing topic in gaming and entertainment, industries hit hard by recent layoffs. It faces scrutiny over ethical concerns, rights issues, and its struggle to create content that resonates with audiences. For example, Keywords Studios’ attempt to build a fully AI-generated game failed, with the company admitting to investors that AI “couldn’t replace human talent.”

Despite this, several game companies continue to explore generative AI. Activision recently revealed using AI for certain Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 assets under new Steam disclosure rules, amid criticism over an AI-generated “zombie Santa” loading screen.

Last month, Horizon actor Ashly Burch commented on a leaked AI-generated Aloy video, using it to highlight the ongoing demands of striking voice actors.