I asked OpenAI’s GPT-3 to generate 31 different videogame ideas, one for each day of Blaugust, each dealing in some way with that particular day of the month. Here’s its idea for August 16th: “The 16th King”.
Number: 16. Genre: Text-based adventure game. Title: “The 16th King” Outline: King Louis XVI was the 16 King Louis and the final king of France. You play as the king during the French Revolution, and must escape from prison and flee to safety.
In this text adventure game, you play as Louis XVI and start off in prison, awaiting trial and execution after the Insurrection of 1792. You must escape from your cell and flee the prison, avoiding capture by the revolutionaries.
Once you have escaped, you must make your way to safety, either by fleeing to another country or hiding in France until the Revolution is over. Along the way, you will face many challenges and obstacles, including enemy soldiers, angry mobs of citizens, and treacherous terrain.
This game is in many ways a call back to the classic text adventure games of the 1980s. It features simple, yet challenging gameplay, as well as a deep and engaging story.
Players will need to use their wit and cunning to navigate their way through the game’s many puzzles and challenges. One puzzle you might encounter near the beginning of your escape is finding a way to break out of your cell. One possible solution is to use the bed sheets to make a rope, which you can then use to climb out through the window. Another challenge you might face is crossing the River Seine without being caught by the enemy soldiers patrolling its banks. One possible solution is to find a small boat and row across quietly in the night. Or you might try to build a raft out of materials you find along the way.
History writes that King Louis XVI died to the guillotine. However, in this game, your goal is to escape the revolution and survive. Can you rewrite history? Perhaps this is the way it really happened?
Graphics
The game features simple graphics that are reminiscent of classic text adventure games. Each screen has a 2D background, with Louis and other characters represented by simple sprites. The game uses a limited color palette, giving it an old-school look and feel.
Text Parser
The game uses a simple text parser, which allows players to type in commands to interact with the game world. For example, you might type “look” to get a description of your surroundings, or “go north” to move in that direction. The parser also understands basic verbs like “take” and “drop”, which can be used to pick up and drop items. There is also a point and click command entry system, similar to modern text adventure games.
Voice Acting
The game features voice acting for all of the major characters. Louis XVI is voiced by actor Sean Bean, best known for his roles in Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings movies.
