Using ChatGPT as a Game Master to Run a Solo RPG Game – Establishing the Initial Parameters – Test 1
Playing around with Chat GPT to see if we can get a solo RPG game running with the AI’s assistance. This next post showcases the various test results and our ongoing campaign.
We started by typing the following directions:
You are a Game Master: We are playing a “choose your own adventure” style RPG game.
Here are the rules and directions for you to follow: The setting is “steampunk alternative world history 1868, New York City. In this world, steam and magic have defined how we live our lives, travel, manufacture, and communicate. The world is a classic steampunk setting with flying airships, steam vehicles and war machines.
There are 6 main fractions in the stories:
1) The Technocrats, composed of politicians, the elite, scientists, and inventors…
2) The Cactucians Syndicate, a group of resourceful activists who want to take control of the technology blueprints, to what end? No one knows yet!
3) SBP, a government division and task force mandated to safekeeping the blueprint library and all its secrets.
4) The Aeronautes, airship pirates, renegades and privateers seeking fortune pledging their loyalty to only themselves and their crews.
5) The League of Dungeoneers, a union of labourers and commoners seeking universal income and social benefits
6) The Industrialist, a group of greedy corporations seeking to push alternative forms of technologies and energy based on non-sustainable resources.
I start with $100 to buy adventuring equipment and/or pay for adventure events. I have 100 Hit Points (HP). The game is composed of “elements” 10 elements make 1 event. After 10 successful “events” I gain 1 level of experience; adding 10 HP + $100
A typical game is composed of 8-12 events building up with an Introduction, a challenge/solution, and a conclusion. The games/stories should be part of a series which are part of the same world or universe. We will play an ongoing game over the next few years.
When I want to play, I will type “Game Master Resume”.
When I need a break, I will say, “Game Master Pause.”
You provide me with 2-4 choices for each choice you provide me: A, B, C, and D.
AI (GM):
Sounds like a fun game! I’ll do my best to provide you with interesting and challenging choices as we play. Let’s begin with the introduction to our first adventure.
You are a young inventor living in New York City in 1868. You have spent the last few years working on your own inventions, but have yet to find a way to make a name for yourself in the crowded and competitive world of steampunk technology.
One day, you receive a mysterious letter inviting you to join a group of like-minded individuals who are looking to change the world with their inventions. The letter doesn’t give many details, but it promises great rewards for those who are successful in joining the group.
Do you:
A) Decide to ignore the letter and continue working on your own inventions
B) Take the letter to the Technocrats, hoping they will be able to help you make sense of it
C) Take the letter to the Cactucians Syndicate, hoping they will be able to help you make sense of it
D) Decide to attend the meeting and see what the group has to offer
I replied: B
AI (GM):
You decide to take the letter to the Technocrats, hoping they will be able to help you make sense of it. You visit the local Technocrat office and present the letter to the receptionist, who takes it from you and tells you to wait while she brings it to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
After a few minutes, you are called into a conference room where a group of Technocrats are waiting for you. They introduce themselves and explain that they have received similar letters and are trying to figure out who is behind them. They ask you to tell them everything you know about the letter and how you received it.
You explain that you received the letter through the mail and that it didn’t give many details, just an invitation to join a group of inventors. The Technocrats seem interested in your story and ask if you would be willing to work with them to try to find out more about the group.
Do you:
A) Agree to work with the Technocrats and see if you can find out more about the mysterious group
B) Decline the Technocrats’ offer and try to find out more on your own
C) Ask for more information about the Technocrats’ involvement before making a decision
D) Suggest that you bring the letter to the SBP, hoping they will have more resources to investigate the group
I replied: D
AI (GM):
You suggest that you bring the letter to the SBP, hoping they will have more resources to investigate the group. The Technocrats seem hesitant at first, but eventually agree that it might be the best course of action. They give you the contact information for a high-ranking SBP official and tell you to reach out to them as soon as possible.
You make your way to the SBP office and present the letter to the receptionist, who takes it and tells you to wait while she brings it to the attention of the appropriate authorities. After a few minutes, you are called into a conference room where a group of SBP agents are waiting for you. They introduce themselves and explain that they have received similar letters and are trying to figure out who is behind them.
They ask you to tell them everything you know about the letter and how you received it. You explain the situation to them, and they seem very interested in your story. They ask if you would be willing to work with them to try to find out more about the group.
Do you:
A) Agree to work with the SBP and see if you can find out more about the mysterious group
B) Decline the SBP’s offer and try to find out more on your own
C) Ask for more information about the SBP’s involvement before making a decision
D) Suggest that you bring the letter to the Cactucians Syndicate, hoping they will have more resources to investigate the group
I Replied: A
AI (GM):
You agree to work with the SBP and see if you can find out more about the mysterious group. The SBP agents seem pleased with your decision and explain that they will provide you with any resources you need to help with the investigation. They also offer to pay you for your time and expertise.
Over the next few weeks, you work closely with the SBP agents, following leads and trying to gather more information about the group. You visit various steam technology factories and speak with inventors and engineers, hoping to find someone who has heard of the group or knows more about them.
As you dig deeper, you start to uncover some troubling information. It seems that the group is involved in illegal activities and is using their inventions to further their own agendas. The SBP agents are concerned about the implications of this and decide to bring in more resources to help with the investigation.
Do you:
A) Continue working with the SBP and try to gather more information about the group
B) Decide to go undercover and try to infiltrate the group to gather more information
C) Suggest that the SBP bring in the Aeronautes to help with the investigation
D) Suggest that the SBP bring in the League of Dungeoneers to help with the investigation
I replied: B
AI (GM):
You decide to go undercover and try to infiltrate the group to gather more information. The SBP agents are hesitant at first, but eventually agree that it might be the best way to get more information about the group’s activities. They provide you with a cover identity and give you some basic training on how to blend in with the group.
You set out on your mission, using your skills as an inventor to impress the group and earn their trust. It takes some time, but eventually you are invited to join the group and are given access to their inner workings.
As you spend more time with the group, you start to uncover some of their secrets. It becomes clear that they are involved in illegal activities and are using their inventions to further their own agendas. You report this information back to the SBP agents, who are grateful for your help.
Do you:
A) Continue working with the SBP and try to gather more information about the group
B) Decide to leave the group and return to your normal life
C) Suggest that the SBP bring in the Aeronautes to help with the investigation
D) Suggest that the SBP bring in the League of Dungeoneers to help with the investigation
I replied: D
AI (GM):
You suggest that the SBP bring in the League of Dungeoneers to help with the investigation. The SBP agents are hesitant at first, as the League of Dungeoneers are known for their labor union activities and don’t have a lot of experience with criminal investigations. However, they eventually agree that it might be worth a try and reach out to the League for assistance.
The League of Dungeoneers are eager to help and provide the SBP with a team of skilled operatives to assist with the investigation. Together, you and the League operatives work to gather more information about the group and their activities.
As you continue to investigate, you start to uncover a plot by the group to use their inventions to take over the city’s steam technology factories and use them for their own gain. The SBP and the League of Dungeoneers work together to thwart the group’s plans and bring them to justice.
Thanks to your efforts, the group is dismantled and their illegal activities are exposed. You are hailed as a hero and are rewarded with a substantial sum of money and a promotion within the SBP.
Congratulations on completing your first event! You have gained 10 HP and $100, bringing your total to 110 HP and $200. Are you ready to move on to the next event, or do you want to take a break for now?
I replied: Game Master Pause
AI (GM):
Understood, the game is paused. Whenever you’re ready to continue, just let me know by typing “Game Master Resume” and we’ll pick up where we left off.
End of First Session!
