World’s Most Powerful Quantum Computer Can’t Run Classic Doom
Despite the huge investment and advanced technology, even the world's fastest quantum computer cannot run the iconic Doom.
A programmer going by the nickname Lumorti has created "Quandoom" - a program that enables you to play the first level of Doom on a quantum computer. Unfortunately, even the most powerful quantum computer to date, created by Atom Computing, equipped with 1,225 qubits, is unable to run it. To launch the project, as many as 70,000 qubits and 80 million logic gates are needed.
It is common knowledge that every usable computing device ever created is capable of running Doom. Despite decades of active research, not a single practical application for quantum computers has been developed yet. This is changing today, with the release of Quandoom, a first-level port of Doom designed for a quantum computer, in the form of a single QASM file, using only 70,000 qubits and 80 million gates. Although such a quantum computer does not yet exist, Quandoom can be effectively simulated on a classical computer, achieving 10-20 frames per second on a laptop, using the included lightweight (150 lines of C++ code) simulator called QASM.
- explains the author of the project.
This means that for now, we can only simulate the game running on a quantum computer using the QASM Simulator on regular PC hardware equipped with at least 5 GB of RAM. The game still doesn't run perfectly, as it achieves animations of around 10-20 frames per second.
Challenges faced by programmers
Creating a game for a quantum computer is quite a challenge. Lumorti had to write 8000 lines of code in C++ to implement quantum operations and create a simple logic for the 3D title. Quantum computers operate in a completely different way than classical ones, therefore adapting a game to the new architecture requires an innovative approach.
Why Doom?
Doom is a game that has been a challenge for developers for years. Its simple structure and popularity make it eagerly used to test the capabilities of old and new technologies. Running Doom on a quantum computer would therefore be a symbolic step, showing the potential of this technology.
The future of games on quantum computers
Although we can't run Doom on a quantum computer yet, Quandoom is an important step in that direction. Lumorti is working on code optimization, which may enable the game to run on real quantum hardware in the future.
The development of quantum technology is progressing at a rapid pace. It is possible that in combination with artificial intelligence-based solutions, quantum computers with sufficient computing power will soon be created, capable of running not only Doom, but also much more advanced games.
