AI is mass decompiling games. That's both awesome and scary

AI is rapidly decompiling games, a development that is both exciting and concerning. Indie game developer Popcar highlights the recent surge of AI-powered decompilation, which allows for creative mashups between existing games and aids in preserving vintage titles on modern hardware, often through browser-based WebAssembly. The piece effectively captures both the benefits and drawbacks of this new technology.

Many have already grasped the alarming aspect - AI's ability to decompile software means the tech industry could face an explosion of unauthorized use and potential theft. Companies might misuse this capability to pilfer competitors' intellectual property, while consumers could find their paid games or apps suddenly open-source against their wishes. This isn't limited to video games; any software could be affected.

However, this technological advancement also presents a significant advantage in game preservation. Old games can now be ported, modified, and made more accessible with ease. Moreover, as console manufacturers shift towards digital distribution, many games are becoming unplayable due to server shutdowns. This AI-driven capability could ensure that owners retain access to the software they purchased, regardless of the company's stance.

The article, a link post by Simon Willison dated 14th October 2026, underscores the importance of this development, expressing a willingness to support it with a monthly donation for a curated email digest of the most critical LLM advancements.