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 21st: “21 Reactions: Chemical Chaos”.
Number: 21. Genre: Rhythm game. Title: “21 Grams”. Outline: In this rhythm game, you must keep the beat while 21 grams of various substances are added to a beaker. The challenge lies in ensuring that the mixture does not explode.
Your lab is being rocked by an alien attack. Your only chance of survival is to create 21 reactions using alien chemicals and use it to destroy their ship. You’ll only be able to safely mix chemicals when the music is playing, so keep the beat and save the world! If you miss a beat, the chemicals will explode and you’ll be destroyed along with the lab.
Each chemical must be mixed in the order shown on the screen. You’ll have to time your button presses to the music to ensure that each one is added at the right moment. The game will get harder as more chemicals are added. Perfecting a certain reaction may take a few tries, but don’t give up.
During the mixing, you’ll be given the chance to decide how much of each chemical to add. Be careful not to add too much or too little. The wrong amount could cause the mixture to explode. Different reactions make different chemicals, and you may choose to make a simpler chemical first to get the proportions right. Eventually, though, you will need to make the final chemical if you want to destroy the ship.
The music will change as you get closer to the end. Be sure to keep the beat going until the very end, or it’ll all be for nothing!
The game screen is a laboratory set-up with a beaker in the center. On the left and right sides of the screen are containers of various chemicals. At the bottom of the screen is a row of buttons, each corresponding to a different chemical. Above the beaker is a gauge that shows how close the mixture is to exploding.
The game will display the order in which the chemicals need to be added on the screen. The beat of the music will also indicate when each chemical needs to be added.
The player will use the buttons on the screen to add the chemicals to the beaker. Timing is crucial, as adding the wrong chemical at the wrong time will cause the mixture to explode.
The graphics are colorful and engaging, with a laboratory set-up that is easy to understand. The chemicals are represented by simple shapes, making it easy to identify them.
The sound design is crucial to the gameplay, as the music indicates when each chemical needs to be added. The sound effects add to the sense of urgency and danger, making it clear that failure is not an option.
