You’d think “I, Robot” and like movies before it would have warned mankind of the dangers involved with messing with advanced forms of artificial intelligence. Sure, Data wouldn’t be Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation) without it…but then again, Lore wouldn’t be Lore either (Data’s “evil twin”). “The Grid: AI Awakens” is a Kickstarter project that focuses around this subject, with players working against both each other and the game’s AI in order to come out as the dominant speci…I mean, in order to be the game’s champion.
Game Designer and Team Coordinator Mitja Žibert offered the following press release:
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Controversial AI Game Launches on Kickstarter
The Grid: AI Awakens Game Launches on Kickstarter
– June 26, 2018
Self-aware Artificial Intelligence holds unimaginable power and potential for humanity. The race to be the first to control has already begun. But shaping this artificial being opens a Pandora’s Box of questions. How will the AI see humanity? Will it be happy to serve us? And what if we can’t control it? As one of the world’s foremost AI experts, it’s your challenge to tackle The Grid, build the first self-aware AI and ensure it doesn’t become the master of its fate… and that of humanity’s.
The Grid: AI Awakens is a game for 2 to 4 players that’s centered around one of the most fascinating and controversial technologies of the 21st century. A card-driven strategy-fest, The Grid is simple to set up and play, requires no special knowledge and moves at a brisk pace.
In a unique twist of The Grid, players don’t just compete against each other. The juvenile AI (which is a non-player) is bent on escape. If it acquires enough technologies, it successfully breaks free. The players must always work to keep the AI away from those technologies, otherwise they lose.
Critical response for The Grid to date has been very positive, with GameBoyGeek critic Dan King specifically citing the “interesting tactical play”. Players have also praised The Grid, enjoying the fast pace and simplicity while still retaining a strong strategic element.
The Grid: AI Awakens is available now on Kickstarter.
