Google's AI Genie Sparks Controversy With Copies Of Nintendo Games

Google has started offering access to Project Genie, a tool capable of generating interactive, playable environments from simple text prompts. The technology, part of Google's advanced AI research, can create 3D spaces in real time, allowing users to navigate these AI-generated worlds by running, swimming, flying, or using vehicles. However, the launch has highlighted a significant issue regarding copyright, as the model appears to have been trained on existing intellectual property without apparent restrictions.

A demonstration by The Verge revealed the AI's ability to produce playable scenes that closely resemble iconic titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Footage published on X showed a character resembling Link exploring a Hyrule-like landscape and using a glider, a mechanic central to Nintendo’s actual game. Other generated worlds have shown similarities to Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series. The capability of the AI to replicate the look and feel of these established games has drawn attention to the lack of safeguards against copyright infringement.

Currently, Project Genie has its limitations. The interactive experiences it creates can only be sustained for up to 60 seconds. The output is capped at a resolution of 720p with a frame rate of around 24 frames per second. Despite these technical constraints, Google is commercializing access to this tool. It is included in the Google AI Ultra subscription, which is priced at $124.99 per month for a three-month commitment. For now, access to Project Genie is restricted to subscribers in the United States who are 18 years or older.

When questioned about the AI's generation of material based on Nintendo's properties, Google Deepmind product manager Diego Rivas provided a statement to The Verge.

"Project Genie is an experimental research prototype designed to follow prompts a user provides. As with all experiments, we are monitoring closely and listening to user feedback."

— Diego Rivas

Following the report, the ability to generate worlds based on Mario was reportedly halted, with a message citing the "interests of third-party content providers." IGN has reached out to Nintendo for a comment on the matter, but has not yet received a response.

Read also, the release of the point-and-click superhero comedy Dispatch on Nintendo platforms was met with controversy due to platform-specific censorship. The initial excitement from fans who wanted to play the episodic series on a portable device turned into campaigns against the game, leading some players to return their copies or stop playing.