Project Genie: What It Is, How to Get Access and Genie 4

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Project Genie is an experimental Google Labs app for creating interactive worlds from text or an image, then moving through them in real time. It launched on January 29, 2026, powered by Genie 3. Google and DeepMind say it will be the first consumer product to receive Genie 4, announced on October 27, 2026.

Here’s what you need to know about access, availability, pricing and what Project Genie can do. I haven’t used Project Genie; the information below comes from official Google and DeepMind posts.

What is Project Genie?

Project Genie is a web app at labs.google/projectgenie. Google describes it as an experimental research prototype powered by three models: Genie 3 generates the world, Nano Banana Pro creates a preview image, and Gemini helps with prompts. The app has three main features.

1. World Sketching

Describe an environment and character in text, or upload an image. Nano Banana Pro creates a preview image that you can edit before entering the world. You can also choose a first- or third-person view and a movement style: walking, driving or flying.

2. World Exploration

Move through a world as Project Genie generates the path ahead in real time, responding to your movements. You can rotate the camera as you explore.

3. World Remixing

Start with one of your own worlds or one from the gallery, then change the environment or character. There’s also a randomize button for inspiration. You can download finished recordings of a world and your exploration as video.

Who can access Project Genie?

• Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US who are 18 or older. This was the initial access group when Project Genie launched on January 29, 2026.
• Not Ultra for Business. Google specified this in a footnote.
• Other countries. In January, Google said it planned to expand access to “more territories over time,” but did not provide a list.

Is Project Genie available in your country?

Google has not confirmed availability in every country. If you have Google AI Ultra, visit labs.google/projectgenie and check whether your account has access. Google has not published a list of additional countries where the app is available, so check with the provider before subscribing specifically for Project Genie.

Project Genie with Genie 3: limitations

Google listed these limitations when Project Genie launched:

• Worlds may not look realistic or consistently follow the prompt, image or laws of physics.
• Characters may be difficult to control and respond with a delay.
• Generations are limited to 60 seconds.
• Some Genie 3 features announced in August 2025 are missing, such as events triggered by prompts during a session.

According to DeepMind, Genie 3 runs at 720p and 24 frames per second and maintains consistency for several minutes.

What will Genie 4 change in Project Genie?

DeepMind says Genie 4 will come to Project Genie “soon,” starting with Google AI Ultra subscribers. Invited testers are trying it first. You can also join the Project Genie Genie 4 waitlist. According to the announcement, the new model will add three features that are currently missing:

• In-session instructions: change the weather or camera, or add new characters - addressing features missing from Project Genie.
• Audio: ambient sounds, music and character conversations.
• Longer sessions: “several minutes” of continuous interaction. It’s not yet clear whether the app’s 60-second limit will change.

For the full description of the new model and official videos, see the Genie 4 hub. For a prompt structure, see Genie 4 prompts.

Project Genie alternatives you can try today

If you want to try a world model without Ultra or US access, I tested two alternatives:

• Odyssey-3: generate a world from a prompt in your browser. I tested it in the Bieszczady Mountains.
• LingBot World 2 and Abot World 0 on fal.ai: pay-per-use models. I tested them at Morskie Oko.

For a comparison of all the models, see the world models guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Project Genie free?

No. It’s a Google AI Ultra feature.

Is Project Genie a game?

No. It’s a research prototype. Its worlds are short and don’t have game rules, but you control a character in them much as you would in a game.

Can I upload my own image?

Yes. Google recommends uploading a high-quality image with the character in the centre of the frame.

When will Genie 4 arrive in Project Genie?

Google says “soon” but hasn’t given a date. Ultra subscribers will get access first.

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Sources

• Google: “Project Genie: Experimenting with infinite, interactive worlds,” January 29, 2026
• Google DeepMind: Project Genie prompt guide
• Google DeepMind: Genie 4, October 27, 2026
• Google DeepMind: Genie 3, August 2025

Checked: October 28, 2026.

Kinetyra