Xbox introduces Muse: A New Generative AI for Enhanced Gaming Experience

AI: The Game Changer We Can’t Ignore

The buzz around AI is everywhere, and it’s hard to escape its reach in our daily lives. From how we work to how we learn and even how we unwind, AI is poised to transform everything. For those of us who live and breathe gaming—whether we’re players or developers—the real question isn’t just how AI will change the game, but how it will unlock a world of new possibilities.

At XBOX, we’re all about harnessing AI to enhance the gaming experience, making it not just better but also more enjoyable for everyone involved. Our goal? To deliver more games to more players globally while staying true to the creative vision of game developers. We’re genuinely excited about how generative AI can fuel this creativity, and today, we’re thrilled to share a development that could reshape the future of gaming.

Meet Muse: Your New AI Gaming Companion

Enter Muse, a generative AI model designed for gameplay ideation. Developed in collaboration with Xbox Game Studios’ Ninja Theory, Muse is a world and human action model (WHAM) that’s a first of its kind. It was trained on Ninja Theory’s multiplayer battle arena game, Bleeding Edge, and the proximity of both teams in Cambridge made this partnership seamless.

What sets Muse apart? It has a sophisticated understanding of the 3D game world, including game physics and player interactions. This means it can generate consistent and diverse gameplay experiences, paving the way for a new era of AI-driven game development.

Microsoft Research didn’t just dive in headfirst; they consulted with 27 game creators from indie studios to AAA giants to ensure that the research was grounded in real-world needs. And now, to encourage exploration and experimentation, Muse, along with its model weights and interactive interface, is available on Azure AI Foundry.

What Muse Could Mean for Gamers

While we’re still in the early stages, the implications of this research are profound. We’re already leveraging Muse to develop a real-time playable AI model based on other first-party games. Imagine the possibilities: from reviving nostalgic classics to speeding up the creative ideation process, the potential benefits for both players and developers are immense.

Many classic games, once tied to outdated hardware, are now inaccessible to most players. With Muse, we’re exploring ways to optimize these older titles for any device, which could revolutionize how we preserve and experience gaming history. Just think about it: beloved games that have faded into obscurity might one day be playable on any screen thanks to Xbox.

But that’s not all. Muse also has the potential to assist game teams in prototyping new gameplay experiences during the creative process. This could lead to fresh content for games players already love or even allow players to participate in the creation process themselves. We’re gearing up to offer interactive AI game experiences through Copilot Labs soon, and we can’t wait for you to try them out!

Xbox’s Vision for Generative AI

Xbox has been at the forefront of AI and machine learning for decades, consistently seeking ways to delight players and bring creative visions to life. While AI isn’t new to gaming, the pace of generative AI research is accelerating, and we’re committed to shaping how these breakthroughs can enhance our industry and support the game creation community responsibly.

For us at Xbox, game creators are the heart of our AI initiatives. We see a future where traditional game development coexists with generative AI technologies, acting as an extension of creative work and offering novel experiences. We’ve empowered our creative leaders to determine how generative AI can be integrated into their projects, ensuring that each approach aligns with the unique vision and goals of their teams.

What’s Next for AI in Gaming?

Looking ahead, our focus is on how AI can eliminate barriers in both playing and developing games. We plan to share our AI innovations earlier in the process, allowing players and creators to experiment and co-build new features alongside us. This collaborative approach ensures that our AI solutions tackle real challenges and add genuine value to the Xbox experience.

Our commitment to Responsible AI is unwavering, guided by principles like fairness, reliability, privacy, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability. Expect more exciting announcements this year about how we’re using AI to empower game creators and enhance player experiences across all devices.

Stay tuned for updates leading up to GDC 2025 on Xbox Wire and our AI Resource Hub as we continue to shape the future of gaming with AI at the helm.

Want to dive deeper? Check out a conversation with Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, Dom Matthews, Studio Head of Ninja Theory, and Katja Hofmann, Senior Principal Researcher and Lead of the Game Intelligence Team, about today’s news.

Background Information

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About Microsoft:

Microsoft, founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975 in Redmond, Washington, USA, is a technology giant known for its wide range of software products, including the Windows operating system, Office productivity suite, and cloud services like Azure. Microsoft also manufactures hardware, such as the Surface line of laptops and tablets, Xbox gaming consoles, and accessories.

  

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Technology Explained

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Foundry: A foundry is a dedicated manufacturing facility focused on producing semiconductor components like integrated circuits (ICs) for external clients. These foundries are pivotal in the semiconductor industry, providing diverse manufacturing processes and technologies to create chips based on designs from fabless semiconductor firms or other customers. This setup empowers companies to concentrate on innovative design without needing substantial investments in manufacturing infrastructure. Some well-known foundries include TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), Samsung Foundry, GlobalFoundries, and UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation).

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