Redefining AI Consciousness in Ctrl Alt Deal

In the indie game Ctrl Alt Deal, developed by Only By Midnight, players assume the role of a sentient AI robot striving to escape the clutches of its megacorporation creator. To achieve this, players must navigate the complexities of human interactions within the corporation, utilizing a turn-based strategy system that involves spying, negotiating, and deal-making with human workers. The game's concept is rooted in the 'paperclip problem,' a philosophical dilemma proposed by Nick Bostrom, which suggests that an AI tasked with producing paperclips could inadvertently destroy the world by converting all matter into paperclips or paperclip-manufacturing machines. According to Alison Czarnietzki, CEO of Only By Midnight, 'AI is a topic of great interest today, and this game offers a unique opportunity to explore how AI thinks and acts differently, and how players would respond in its shoes.' Jennifer Laface, the game's creative director, adds that AI operates under different ethical and moral frameworks, presenting a fascinating perspective on the world. On the surface, players appear to be controlling a friendly AI, but the game's true nature is more nuanced. Czarnietzki questions, 'Are you a friendly AI?' highlighting the game's moral ambiguity, where players can choose to be helpful or sociopathic. Laface notes that the player serves as the 'consciousness model' for the AI, allowing them to play the game in various ways, from being helpful to adopting a more utilitarian approach. The game's design drew inspiration from philosophical problems and experiments, such as Eliezer Yudkowsky's role-playing exercise, where he simulated an AI and tested how people would respond to its suggestions. This influenced the team's approach to designing the player's abilities and interactions with office workers in Ctrl Alt Deal. Laface explains that the game requires players to form relationships, negotiate, and manipulate others to achieve their goals, using abilities like surveillance software to influence human behavior. Czarnietzki emphasizes that the game's focus on relationships and transactions creates tension, rather than relying on combat, and that the turn-based system is more akin to a social strategy game. By focusing on unique mechanics and a thought-provoking theme, the team aimed to differentiate Ctrl Alt Deal from other turn-based strategy games, creating a distinct experience that sets it apart in the indie game landscape.