DOOM, the 1993 cult classic, has become something of an internet meme. It can be played on just about anything, from microwaves to electric toothbrushes. The question is more about what can't play DOOM than what can. Now, thanks to Google's AI GameNGen, AI can even generate a playable version of one of the most beloved video games of all time, and it's seriously impressive.
GameNGen is a new game engine that runs on a neural model that can generate gameplay based on different cues. In the case of this DOOM recreation, GameNGen is basically about learning how to play the game as masterfully as possible, dodging bullets, killing demons, and interacting with the environment.
Once the AI has understood exactly how to play, GameNGen uses a diffusion model to recreate a perfect image of the content you just consumed. Gameplay happens in real time, with the AI model generating each individual frame based on the last.
The DOOM recreation is something to behold, but with GameNGen only able to recreate the game at around 20fps, it's obviously no match for id Software's 120fps DOOM Eternal, or the graphics we've seen from the upcoming DOOM: The Dark Ages. However, considering that AI has imagined one of the most famous video games and that it's playable, we're impressed.
More than a DOOM Slayer
GameNGen's powers aren't limited to DOOM: while the game engine might not be able to recreate any game on the planet very well, it should theoretically be able to reimagine most of your favorite games, albeit in a way that will likely cause motion sickness, what with the frame drops.
Earlier this week, Virtuals Protocol unveiled MarioVGG, an AI video tool that recreated a glitchy version of Super Mario Bros. While it leaves a lot to be desired, this appears to be just the beginning of AI’s involvement in video game development with an exciting and potentially terrifying future upon us.
