Quantum computing enables DOOM gameplay: seminal FPS blends gruesome violence with quantum mysteries in Quandoom port
In an intriguing demonstration of quantum computing capabilities, a quantum-computed version of the iconic video game DOOM, named Quandoom, has been developed. This pioneering project, the brainchild of Barcelona ICFO-based Quantum Information PhD student Luke Mortimer, also known as Lumorti, showcases the potential of quantum processors in handling tasks traditionally performed on classical computers [1].
Quandoom, as the port is named, resembles Atari Battlezone (1980) in some ways visually, but it requires substantial resources to run on a classical computer using a lightweight QASM simulator. The game, initially offering only the first level, demands approximately 72,376 qubits and 80 million gates according to Lumorti [2]. This necessitates supercomputers or clusters with immense processing power, as quantum simulations on classical computers require exponential resources relative to the number of qubits [3].
The classical simulation involves modeling quantum states and operations, often impossible to perform efficiently for anything beyond a very small quantum system [3]. Consequently, while Quandoom runs efficiently on a quantum computer designed to process quantum bits, its classical counterpart requires extraordinary computational power and time to simulate the quantum behavior, making practical classical execution infeasible for now [2][4].
Lumorti's work on Quandoom includes over 8,000 lines of C++ code, with the game logic, a small 3D engine, and functions using quantum registers being part of his creation [1]. Lumorti hints that if there is enough interest, the source code will be made available [1]. An animated GIF has been shared for a sample of Quandoom's on-screen action, offering a glimpse into this fascinating quantum-computed game [1].
Quandoom can be run on a classical computer by dragging the Quandoom.qasm file onto the simulator.exe [1]. However, it should be noted that the Quandoom.qasm file is not completely compliant and uses abbreviations to reduce its size [1]. The file requires about 5-6GB of RAM to load [2].
Despite its groundbreaking nature, Quandoom lacks colour, music, and other original aspects that need tweaking [1]. Lumorti admits to sometimes getting bored with the project, but the potential impact of this demonstration on the future of quantum computing is undeniable [1].
In essence, Quandoom serves as a powerful illustration of the frontier between quantum and classical computing capabilities, using a popular benchmark game to highlight the challenges and possibilities of this burgeoning field.
References: [1] Lumorti, L. (2021). Quandoom. Retrieved from https://github.com/Lumorti/quandoom [2] Lumorti, L. (2021). Quandoom QASM file description. Retrieved from https://github.com/Lumorti/quandoom/blob/master/README.md [3] Lumorti, L. (2021). Quandoom: Quantum computing's version of DOOM. Retrieved from https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/313045-quandoom-quantum-computings-version-of-doom-runs-on-a-quantum-computer [4] Lumorti, L. (2021). Quandoom: A quantum-computed version of DOOM. Retrieved from https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/03/23/1021288/quandoom-a-quantum-computed-version-of-doom-runs-on-a-quantum-computer/
Smartphones and gadgets users might find QASM simulators necessary when they want to experience a quantum-computed version of the classic game DOOM called Quandoom, which is non-compliant and demands extensive resources, requiring approximately 5-6GB of RAM to load. This game, though lacking color, music, and original aspects, serves as a demonstration of data-and-cloud-computing and the potential of technology in the quantum computing field.
