Microsoft’s ambitious foray into AI-driven game preservation has hit a major snag, as its recently released Quake 2 tech demo—created entirely by the company’s generative AI system Muse—has been met with widespread criticism from players and developers alike.
Unveiled as a showcase of Muse’s capabilities, the browser-based Quake 2 demo is more of a proof-of-concept than a polished product. Microsoft described Muse as a “first-of-its-kind” AI model designed to create “consistent and diverse gameplay rendered by AI,” and this demo was meant to highlight its potential role in preserving classic titles. Instead, it has raised more eyebrows than excitement.
Players who’ve tried the AI-powered version of Quake 2 have reported everything from awkward navigation and broken physics to bizarre visual inconsistencies. One user on social media described getting stuck in a corridor surrounded by darkness: “Just tried it, walked in a corridor and turned around, there was nothing but darkness behind me… got trapped in a box. 10/10.” Another simply called the experience “absolutely f*****g disgusting,” saying it insulted the work of real game developers.
While a few early adopters acknowledged that the tech is “technically impressive,” especially in how Muse simulates gameplay using only brief snippets of visual context (about 0.9 seconds, or 9 frames at 10fps), the overwhelming consensus is that this particular demo is far from fun—or functional.
Microsoft seems to agree, at least in part. The company notes in its release that the demo is not meant to replicate the real experience of playing the original Quake 2, and admits there are “limitations and shortcomings of our current approach.” It also acknowledges issues with object permanence and enemy interactions, pointing to the narrow visual context Muse currently uses to simulate environments.
The reaction underscores the ongoing tension between AI innovation and traditional game development. While Microsoft pitches Muse as a tool for preserving classic titles—especially those that are no longer playable due to aging hardware—many fans fear this could signal a future where AI-generated content replaces, rather than complements, human craftsmanship.
Fatima Kardar, Microsoft’s corporate VP of gaming AI, has emphasized that the intent behind Muse is noble: to resurrect back-catalog games and make them accessible on modern devices. “There are countless classic games tied to aging hardware that are no longer playable by most people,” she said during the model’s unveiling. Muse, she added, is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to “optimize those experiences for any device.”
But as it stands, Muse’s Quake 2 demo shows how far the technology still has to go before it can deliver anything resembling a satisfying player experience. The harsh feedback suggests that while AI might have a role in the future of gaming, it’s not yet ready to shoulder the legacy of iconic titles like Quake 2.
Whether Muse evolves into a viable tool for game preservation—or ends up as a cautionary tale in the rush toward AI integration—remains to be seen. But for now, fans of classic shooters may want to stick with the original.
