Rats can now play DOOM, a 1993 classic video game. Researchers Viktor Tóth and colleagues developed V2, a system that allows rats to navigate levels, shoot enemies, and receive rewards in the form of sugar water. While the rats have shown impressive skills, they haven’t progressed far through the game due to time constraints.
This project showcases how technology can be used to engage animals beyond their capabilities. It’s also an example of how researchers use rodents for experiments that require long-term memory learning.
In contrast to humans, who typically retain memories for 2 minutes, rats have a more limited capacity for long-term memory. Their short-term memory lasts around 2-3 minutes, but it’s unclear whether they can learn complex tasks like playing DOOM with the same ease as humans.
Some experts argue that rats’ brains are capable of more than previously thought, citing examples of animals learning and adapting in various studies. This idea has sparked debate about the potential for training animals to perform complex tasks, such as driving cars or operating AI systems.
While the concept may seem far-fetched, researchers have already demonstrated that animals can be trained from birth to perform specific tasks with remarkable accuracy. As technology advances, it’s possible that we’ll see more animals taking on roles traditionally held by humans in various industries.
Source: https://hackaday.com/2025/12/12/rats-get-even-better-at-playing-doom