is advancing into artificial intelligence for gaming. Museis a new AI-model announced today. Microsoft says that the model, which was developed using Ninja Theory’s multiplayer games Bleeding Edgecan help Xbox game designers build parts of their games. Muse can recognize the physics of a 3D game and its environment and create visuals and reactions based on player movements.
Of the many Muse use cases that Microsoft describes in its announcement, the most interesting is the preservation of games. The company claims that Muse AI can optimize games from its vast library of classic titles for modern hardware. Fatima Kardar is Microsoft’s corporate vice-president for Gaming AI. Microsoft’s Xbox team interviewed 27 game creators worldwide to ensure that the research was shaped by those who would use it.
According to the company, it will continue to investigate generative AI and how to help teams prototype their projects. Microsoft’s announcement states that the Xbox team interviewed 27 global game creators “to ensure the research was shaped” by those who would be using it.
Developers and the wider community responded positively. Online has been swift with Muse being poorly accepted. David Goldfarb is a game developer and the founder of The Outsiders. Goldfarb, in a direct message, says he doesn’t believe generative AI is good for video games. “Because the people who are promoting it do it to reduce capital expenditure and whether they intend to do it or not, are effectively disenfranchising and devaluing millions of collective years of aesthetic effort by game devs and artists.” Goldfarb said in a message that he does not believe generative artificial intelligence is good for videogames. “Because the people who are promoting this are doing it because they want to reduce capital expenditure, and whether or not they intend to, are effectively disenfranchising millions of years of aesthetic work by game developers and artists.” When we rely on these tools, we empower a class who don’t care about how they change our lives. Over the past few decades, thousands of developers have been laid-off. This trend will continueinto 2025. Some developers are convinced that AI cannot replace creativity, but others are worried about their job security as the industry is introducing new tools which will eliminate their need for their skills.
It’s a classic case of Xbox losing talent, but also being so heavily invested in GenAI they can’t see past the trees,” said an AAA developer who requested anonymity because they were not allowed to speak publicly about Muse. “They don’t understand that no one will want this. They don’t care that nobody will want it… internal discussions are quiet about these types of things because EVERYONE is afraid to be against this and lose their job due to the tumultuous times in our industry.
A second developer who asked to remain anonymous, also feared professional repercussions for speaking out against Muse, echoed this sentiment. “It’s disgusting that I feel like I have to remain anonymous because I still need to beg for money to get a game pass, and attaching my own name would reduce my odds,” they say.
The developer claims that this model is really aimed at shareholders to show Microsoft’s commitment to AI, but it hasn’t yet delivered a product anyone wants.
Microsoft claims to have already used Muse to create an “AI model that can be played in real-time” and has been trained using first-party games. Generative AI could be useful in certain aspects of the game development process. The prototyping stage, when a developer creates iterative, bare-bones versions of their game in order to work through their ideas and craft a final vision, is one area where AI proponents–including Microsoft–argue computer-generated playable models will prove helpful. Marc Burrage, Development Director at Creative Assembly, says that computers cannot draw the same insights from the process as humans. Burrage says that prototyping is about the journey, as well as the end result. You need to be on the journey to learn all the lessons. Fast prototyping is an important skill that you can’t shortcut. You’ll never be as prepared afterward.
