Xbox Pushes Ahead With Muse, a New Generative AI Model. Devs Say ‘Nobody Will Want This’ | WIRED

Microsoft's Muse AI: A Controversial Tool

Microsoft introduced Muse, a generative AI model designed to aid in Xbox game development. Its capabilities include generating visuals, responding to player movements, and potentially preserving classic games by optimizing them for modern hardware.

Developer Backlash

However, the response from game developers has been overwhelmingly negative. Concerns center around the potential for job losses and the devaluation of artistic skills. Many believe that Muse, while potentially useful, could ultimately diminish the creative process and negatively impact the overall quality of games.

• David Goldfarb, a veteran game developer, expressed strong disapproval, citing concerns about reduced capital expenditure and the undermining of years of artistic effort by game developers.
• An anonymous AAA developer echoed these concerns, highlighting the industry's current instability and the fear among developers of speaking out against AI implementation.

The Broader Context

The controversy surrounding Muse takes place within the context of ongoing layoffs and industry restructuring in the video game sector. This makes developers particularly sensitive to the introduction of tools that could replace human labor.