In 2019, a group of researchers in China demonstrated the ability to automatically create complete web-based versions of popular video games such as Star Wars (the Mandalorian) and Harry Potter (card duel), simply by entering their preferred game name into the search box. Their demonstration of this ability was called "OpenGame" and was developed over a period of several years by researchers at the Machine Learning Lab (MMLab) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
For example, if someone entered the phrase “Harry Potter Card Battle Game” into the search box for OpenGame, they would receive a functioning version of a card-based battle game within approximately 30 seconds. In addition to providing the concept for the game, OpenGame will write the source code, identify and eliminate bugs and errors, generate the necessary graphical images, and provide a working version of the game that users can run directly in their browsers.
As a result of the recent development of OpenGame, it has become increasingly apparent that many companies involved in the entertainment industry are struggling to develop strategies to effectively manage the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the content-creation process. At the same time, there is considerable uncertainty about how copyright law will apply to content created by AI. The U.S. Copyright Office has recently requested public input regarding guidelines for generative AI content, which would help to address these issues. However, prior to any formal response from the U.S. Copyright Office, OpenGame provided a timely opportunity to test how easily an open-sourced AI can create games based upon copyrighted material. According to Creative Bloq, a website focused on design news and trends, OpenGame’s GitHub page contains examples of playable demos for AI-generated games based upon Disney’s Star Wars and Marvel comics franchises.
Similar to other types of AI that operate as agentic systems, OpenGame does not merely generate code; instead, it generates both code and visual assets, and then tests and refines those items to ensure that they work together properly. For example, once you enter your preferred game title into OpenGame’s search bar, the model will generate the code required for an HTML5-based browser game, create placeholder graphic images, define the rules for gameplay, test the game for errors, and continue refining them until they form a playable experience. Once again, no human interaction occurs outside of the original text entry.
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Although we do not know what type(s) of game genre(s) OpenGame can support, the examples currently displayed on its GitHub page suggest that it is capable of supporting a number of different game genres – e.g., shooters, card-battlers, puzzles and simple platformer games. Most importantly each game has included standard game-mechanics like scorekeeping, collision-detection and win/loss conditions. The graphic assets produced by OpenGame appear to consist of very basic shapes and sprite-like objects – i.e., nothing approaching high-end graphics – yet they were still able to produce functional games.
One additional aspect of OpenGame that should be noted is its ability to identify specific characteristics associated with certain fictional universes mentioned in user-submitted prompts. The Harry Potter demo reportedly included house-specific characteristics (e.g., Gryffindor vs. Slytherin), while the Star Wars game featured character-specific designs (e.g., Mandalorian armor). Although neither universe nor character-specific details were programmed explicitly into OpenGame, they were identified correctly via natural language description alone.
It seems likely that MMLab intentionally chose to include examples utilizing Disney and Warner Bros.-owned properties (Star Wars and Harry Potter), respectively. Both franchises have been aggressively enforced against fans throughout history – i.e., cease-and-desist letters sent to individuals creating unauthorized derivative works inspired by either franchise. While OpenGame does not utilize these properties openly or under license, it does provide evidence that companies are beginning to test how far they can push boundaries surrounding AI-generated content prior to having clear answers regarding applicable laws and regulations.
At present, there is no record of any response from either Disney or Warner Bros. regarding OpenGame. When asked for comments regarding OpenGame by various media outlets, representatives from both companies declined to respond.