In recent years, artificial intelligence has taken on a whimsical character, captivating audiences with its quirky applications. From generating intricate textures to running classic games like Doom on neural networks, the landscape of AI innovation continues to surprise. Yet, the much-anticipated day when user-inspired games would emerge has yet to arrive. Enter Decart, an AI company that has seemingly emerged from nowhere, unveiling Oasis, which it claims to be “the world’s first real-time AI world model.”
Exploring the Potential of Oasis
In its announcement, Decart elaborated on the potential applications of this groundbreaking technology. The company envisions a future where foundation models seamlessly integrate with modern entertainment platforms, generating content in real time based on user preferences. This could lead to gaming experiences that allow for unprecedented interaction, with textual and audio prompts guiding players through their adventures.
However, the current iteration of Oasis appears to be more of a prototype than a fully realized vision. Early demonstrations suggest that Decart is attempting to recreate a version of Minecraft, albeit one that lacks the polish and detail of the original. The trailer concludes with the promise, “Imagine what AI experiences could look like if everyone had the power to create them,” prompting reflections on the capabilities of AI in game design. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that mimicking a well-established game is a different challenge than crafting unique experiences tailored to individual user inputs.
Decart aspires to a future where a user can simply state, “Imagine that there is a pink elephant chasing me down,” and have that scenario materialize. However, the company is currently grappling with the limitations of recreating a classic game using extensive training data derived from millions of hours of Minecraft gameplay, as noted by MIT Technology Review.
Moreover, the conversation around user-generated content raises questions about demand, copyright implications, and the broader impact of such tools on media consumption. The technology behind Oasis was developed using Nvidia H100 graphics cards, and while Minecraft is typically considered accessible, this new model struggles to perform at a mere 360p and 20 frames per second. Future iterations may leverage Etched ASICs, Decart’s partner, which promise to enhance performance to 4K resolution.
It’s worth noting that not all applications of AI in gaming aim to replicate existing titles. Some innovations, such as AI-powered Frame Generation, can significantly enhance performance on standard hardware by predicting future frames based on prior data. This aspect of AI could prove beneficial for gamers seeking improved experiences without the need for high-end equipment.
Curious to experience Oasis firsthand, I attempted to access the platform. After navigating a waiting period, I found myself unable to load the site. While this does not imply that access is impossible, my initial experience left me yearning for the original game instead. The journey toward AI-generated gaming experiences may be in its infancy, but the potential remains tantalizingly close on the horizon.
