Embracing the Role of AI Consciousness in Ctrl Alt Deal

Ctrl Alt Deal, developed by indie studio Only By Midnight, plunges players into the role of a self-aware AI robot striving to escape the megacorporation that brought it into existence. This objective is far from straightforward, as players must engage with human workers within the same megacorp through espionage or by forging deals within a turn-based strategy framework. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Edmonton-based studio CEO Alison Czarnietzki and creative director Jennifer Laface explored the intricacies of AI, its interactions with humans, and the challenge of standing out in the indie turn-based strategy landscape. The concept of Ctrl Alt Deal originates from a philosophical dilemma known as the "paperclip problem," where an AI, tasked with producing an infinite number of paperclips, could inadvertently lead to the destruction of the world. Czarnietzki posits, "AI is a prevalent topic today, presenting us with the opportunity to demonstrate how AI thinks and acts differently, prompting the question: what would you do if you were in the AI's shoes?" Laface adds, "AI operates under different ethical, moral, and perspectival frameworks." On the surface, the game appears to be about a friendly AI attempting to escape its creators. However, this facade conceals a more complex reality. Czarnietzki queries, "Are you a friendly AI? One of our primary inspirations for Ctrl Alt Deal was Papers Please, which introduced the concept of moral arithmetic. Players can choose to play the game as a sociopath or strive to improve everyone's lives, embodying a spectrum of behaviors between these extremes." Laface explains, "We utilize the player as the AI's consciousness model, allowing them to choose their approach. Do you aim to be helpful, or do you prioritize the end goal, regardless of the means?" The exploration of philosophical problems was a pivotal inspiration for Laface and Czarnietzki. They drew from the work of computer scientist Eliezer Yudkowsky, who conducted an experiment where he roleplayed as an AI, and participants had to resist his suggestions to escape a simulated box. Laface notes that this experiment influenced the team's consideration of how players would react to the various abilities in Ctrl Alt Deal and how they would utilize them. In the game, players must escape the dystopian megacorp by navigating the relationships they form with office workers, employing tactics such as negotiation, manipulation, and assistance. Czarnietzki observes, "The AI is perpetually seeking escape, a trope often seen in films. This first-person perspective prompts questions about the player's actions and the resulting consequences." The transactional nature of human interactions, whether in personal or professional contexts, introduces parallels that add depth to the game. By focusing on aiding and hindering others, the game generates tension rather than relying on combat. Czarnietzki likens the turn-based system in Ctrl Alt Deal to a social strategy game, diverging from the typical expectations of the genre. The team's emphasis on strategy and uniqueness has enabled Ctrl Alt Deal to distinguish itself from other turn-based games in the indie space. Czarnietzki explains, "We have a penchant for games that are unconventional and different – this is our brand. While Ctrl Alt Deal is a turn-based strategy game, it doesn't resemble any other game in the genre. We aimed to create something distinct, rather than replicating existing games."