Imagine a video game that builds itself, frame by frame, using the power of AI—and creates a world so bizarre and fascinating, it feels like stepping into a dream. Welcome to Oasis, the first entirely AI-generated video game that has taken the gaming community by storm.

Created by the Israeli AI startup Decart in collaboration with Etched, a company specializing in custom silicon, Oasis pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in game design. Unlike traditional games that rely on pre-coded rules and a game engine, Oasis uses a transformer AI model to generate each frame dynamically in response to player inputs. The result? A constantly evolving, unpredictable gaming experience that’s equal parts mesmerizing and strange.

What Makes Oasis Different?

At its core, Oasis is like a distant cousin of Minecraft, capturing the spirit of open-world building while adding a remarkable twist. The AI behind Oasis was trained on countless hours of Minecraft gameplay using an open-source dataset from OpenAI. This enables the game to “imagine” each new frame based on the current one and player actions, such as clicks or mouse movements. Unlike traditional video-generating AI models like Sora, Oasis gives players control over the unfolding landscape.

The result is an ever-changing, surreal environment where textures and shapes morph unexpectedly. Look at a block for too long, and you might find the entire scene transformed when you look up again. Staircases lead to nowhere, livestock appear oddly misshapen, and the entire world feels like it’s shifting under your feet—a digital Inception.

Why It’s Captivating Gamers

Since its release, Oasis has become a viral phenomenon. Players are uploading their own images to see how the game’s AI transforms them into blocky landscapes, with results ranging from hauntingly beautiful to hilariously bizarre. One player uploaded a photo of their cat, only to have it turned into a blocky landscape (unfortunately, not a playable feline character).

The AI model can also be tricked into creating otherworldly environments, such as a dark moonscape reminiscent of Minecraft’s “End.” These quirks have fueled a wave of creative exploration, with gamers experimenting to see how far they can push the AI’s imaginative limits.

“People are trying to teleport into different worlds and speed run,” says Robert Wachen, COO of Etched. “That’s one of the main reasons it went viral.”

The Challenges of AI-Generated Games

While Oasis is groundbreaking, it’s far from perfect. The game’s unpredictability can make it feel inconsistent and difficult to control—a far cry from the polished experience of conventional games. Julian Togelius, a computer science professor at New York University, sees potential in generative AI for future applications like creating in-game characters or worlds. However, he cautions that the technology is still in its infancy.

“It’s very interesting and impressive technology, but at the moment it’s an answer in search of a question,” Togelius notes.

Frank Lantz, a game designer and director of NYU’s game design program, describes Oasis as caught in an “uncanny valley”—not quite fun enough to rival traditional games but undeniably intriguing. He’s optimistic that innovative game designers might eventually harness this tech to create something truly groundbreaking.

“This is so obviously cool and interesting,” Lantz says. “It’s just waiting for someone to turn it into a game people love.”

A Glimpse Into Gaming’s Future

Oasis may not be the polished, playable hit of the year, but it’s a fascinating glimpse into the future of gaming. By leveraging AI to dream up worlds in real time, it challenges the conventions of how games are made and played. As technology evolves, it’s easy to imagine a future where AI-generated games become a mainstream phenomenon, offering players infinite possibilities and experiences.

For now, Oasis invites players to step into its ever-shifting landscape and explore the potential of AI—one surreal block at a time.