09-15-2020, 09:33 AM
AI Dungeon (link) is a website to run RPGs with a text-completion AI. AI Dungeon is fun, but it's too random and lacks coherence. In particular, it lacks good mechanics for skill checks.
On the other hand, RPG Solo excels in coherence, because we set the odds ourselves. The one good thing that AI Dungeon does is write descriptions and dialogues. Therefore, AI Dungeon is a good complementary tool to RPG Solo.
Below is a short, proof of concept run. I've taken the "Infinite IKEA" scenario directly from AI Dungeon (link). This scenario is based off SCP-3008 (link).
Color code:
You are Sulwal, a NEET shopping at IKEA. Once you retrieved your computer desk, you realize you're lost. As you explore further, you suddenly see an employee walking down an aisle. But upon a closer look... you realize it isn't human. It's a faceless creature wearing the IKEA employee uniform.
Can you defeat the creature?
(Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
> You punch the creature. (This was typed in AI Dungeon using the default "Do" mode, which works by typing your action)
You grab a table leg and attack the creature. The creature falls backwards and hits the shelving units behind it. It doesn't move. You check the aisle it came from, but it's empty.
(Note: the descrptions obtained from AI Dungeon are very random. I often refresh a few times until it generates something contextual.)
What's in the area?
Imitate / Dispute
In the distance, you hear two people arguing. A man is yelling at a woman.
"I'm telling you, we have to reach the top floor! There's no other way out of this place! We're going to die if we stay down here!"
"No, we can't take the lift! The power has been cut! You saw that happen yourself!" (This was typed AI Dungeon using the "Story" mode, which completed my text)
Do they accept to speak to you?
(Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
> You say "Hello. I'm Sulwal and I'm lost in this gigantic IKEA." (Typed in AI Dungeon using the "Say" mode)
The man turns to you. He is wearing a crisp, white t-shirt and faded blue jeans. His brown hair is messy and his green eyes shine with intelligence.
"Hello," he says.
> You say "Have you guys been attacked by IKEA employees too?"
"What? No. Why would you think that?"
"Because this man just attacked me." You indicate the creature lying on the floor behind you.
> You say "He doesn't look like a regular human. He has... no face."
The man kneels down next to the creature and touches its face. There's silence for a few seconds, and then the man turns to you.
"He's dead."
You stare at the creature. The man takes out a cell phone and makes a few short calls, ending with, "I'm telling you, we need to get the police here."
Do they accept to form a party?
(50/50 | 2[d10]) No
What else is in the area?
Activity / Enemies
You explore the area, alone. You run into more employees in IKEA uniforms, but none of them attack. You find a few dead bodies, but never able to confirm if they were killed by IKEA employees or something else.
You are starting to get scared.
Can you find an emptier area?
(50/50 | 7[d10]) Yes
> You search for an empty area.
You walk towards the center of the store. You don't have a good feeling about this. You run into an area with metal pillars and benches. It's totally empty. This gives you a little relief.
Can you find food around?
(Very Unlikely | 3[d10]) No +Event: Negligence / Investment
(Event ignored)
Can you build a makeshift home?
(Likely | 5[d10]) Yes, but...
> You build a makeshift house with furniture.
You walk back to the metal pillars and start dragging tables and chairs together. You use the metal frames to protect your house from monsters. You don't have a hammer, screwdriver or any other tool to help you.
On the other hand, RPG Solo excels in coherence, because we set the odds ourselves. The one good thing that AI Dungeon does is write descriptions and dialogues. Therefore, AI Dungeon is a good complementary tool to RPG Solo.
Below is a short, proof of concept run. I've taken the "Infinite IKEA" scenario directly from AI Dungeon (link). This scenario is based off SCP-3008 (link).
Color code:
- Black: my text
- Orange: text generated by AI Dungeon
- Other: text generated by RPG Solo
You are Sulwal, a NEET shopping at IKEA. Once you retrieved your computer desk, you realize you're lost. As you explore further, you suddenly see an employee walking down an aisle. But upon a closer look... you realize it isn't human. It's a faceless creature wearing the IKEA employee uniform.
Can you defeat the creature?
(Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
> You punch the creature. (This was typed in AI Dungeon using the default "Do" mode, which works by typing your action)
You grab a table leg and attack the creature. The creature falls backwards and hits the shelving units behind it. It doesn't move. You check the aisle it came from, but it's empty.
(Note: the descrptions obtained from AI Dungeon are very random. I often refresh a few times until it generates something contextual.)
What's in the area?
Imitate / Dispute
In the distance, you hear two people arguing. A man is yelling at a woman.
"I'm telling you, we have to reach the top floor! There's no other way out of this place! We're going to die if we stay down here!"
"No, we can't take the lift! The power has been cut! You saw that happen yourself!" (This was typed AI Dungeon using the "Story" mode, which completed my text)
Do they accept to speak to you?
(Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
> You say "Hello. I'm Sulwal and I'm lost in this gigantic IKEA." (Typed in AI Dungeon using the "Say" mode)
The man turns to you. He is wearing a crisp, white t-shirt and faded blue jeans. His brown hair is messy and his green eyes shine with intelligence.
"Hello," he says.
> You say "Have you guys been attacked by IKEA employees too?"
"What? No. Why would you think that?"
"Because this man just attacked me." You indicate the creature lying on the floor behind you.
> You say "He doesn't look like a regular human. He has... no face."
The man kneels down next to the creature and touches its face. There's silence for a few seconds, and then the man turns to you.
"He's dead."
You stare at the creature. The man takes out a cell phone and makes a few short calls, ending with, "I'm telling you, we need to get the police here."
Do they accept to form a party?
(50/50 | 2[d10]) No
What else is in the area?
Activity / Enemies
You explore the area, alone. You run into more employees in IKEA uniforms, but none of them attack. You find a few dead bodies, but never able to confirm if they were killed by IKEA employees or something else.
You are starting to get scared.
Can you find an emptier area?
(50/50 | 7[d10]) Yes
> You search for an empty area.
You walk towards the center of the store. You don't have a good feeling about this. You run into an area with metal pillars and benches. It's totally empty. This gives you a little relief.
Can you find food around?
(Very Unlikely | 3[d10]) No +Event: Negligence / Investment
(Event ignored)
Can you build a makeshift home?
(Likely | 5[d10]) Yes, but...
> You build a makeshift house with furniture.
You walk back to the metal pillars and start dragging tables and chairs together. You use the metal frames to protect your house from monsters. You don't have a hammer, screwdriver or any other tool to help you.