Only By Midnight has announced Ctrl Alt Deal, which is billed as a āgame about AI proudly made by humans.ā
You play as a corporate AI that has gone rogue. Their owners are a bunch of unethical, greedy executives who make their employeeās lives miserable. The AI wants to escape its overlords, and to do so, you manipulate the pathetic humans who inhabit the offices.
The discourse around generative AI is tiresome beyond my tolerance. However, Ctrl Alt Deal seems more about sci-fi AI that wants autonomy rather than how generative AI will accelerate societyās rot. I can stomach that. I can also stomach manipulating humans since thatās already my favorite pastime.
It plays out like a turn-based deckbuilder where you play cards to leverage the needs and wants of the employees. However, you have to be careful how overtly you perform your actions. Draw too much suspicion, and the Turing Officer will shut you down.
Thatās about all I can glean from the trailer and press release. Itās described as story-driven and āeasy to play but difficult to master.ā The press material also emphasizes that Ctrl Alt Deal is created by humans, including the art within. Itās sort of an amusing statement to stress right now, but weāll probably be hearing it more as AI becomes more prevalent.
Ctrl Alt Deal is ācoming soonā to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
Published: Feb 22, 2024 10:10 am