Google opens access to Project Genie AI tool for creating interactive worlds from photos

Google DeepMind made its Genie 3 technology available to users through Project Genie. The system is a world model – an AI capable of generating images and reacting (to the extent possible) to user actions as they move through the created environment. DeepMind initially positioned Genie 3 as a tool for training AI agents, but now the company decided to let a broader audience try the model.

The trailer shows several options for creating interactive worlds from prompts or photos. Overall, the concept looks interesting, but these definitely can't be called full-fledged games – they're closer to simulators for moving through various environments with minimal interactive engagement.

Accessing Project Genie requires a Google AI Ultra subscription costing $250 per month. The service is only available to users in the United States. At launch, it offers three interaction modes – World Sketching, exploration, and remixing. In the first mode, the Nano Banana Pro model generates the source image that Genie 3 uses to create the world. At this stage, you can describe your character, choose the camera perspective – first-person, third-person, or isometric – and define how you'll explore the future world.

Before diving into the created world, Nano Banana Pro will sketch what you're about to see, allowing you to make adjustments. You can also use prompts for worlds that other users have already generated with Genie. It's important to understand that Genie 3 isn't a game engine – despite resembling games and being able to simulate physical interactions, there are no traditional game mechanics here.

The video below shows five minutes of creating various worlds – there's even a "budget Mafia" among them:

Generation is limited to 60 seconds, and the visual presentation runs at 24 frames per second at 720p resolution. For AI Ultra subscribers, this is an opportunity to see cutting-edge developments from DeepMind that the company has been working on over the past couple of years.