Can ChatGPT Create Board Game Mechanics? We Ask OpenAI

ChatGPT is one of the most interesting things happening in the world as artificial intelligence crosses the boundary to our fingertips with information that is faster and more thorough than any Google search or Reddit thread. While the questions of what we can do with this technology are endless, one question came up in our discussion today and it seemed appropriate to write about: Can ChatGPT help us to design a board game? It’s a theoretical question that we asked the AI technology to see what it could create. The results were kind of impressive. Read below for unedited prompts and responses from ChatGPT at the OpenAI website. Images created by Dall-E 2.

Making a Strategy Game with ChatGPT

Prompt: how can I use ChatGPT to make a board game

To use ChatGPT to make a board game, you could use the model to generate game rules, create descriptions of game pieces and player actions, and even generate random events that can occur during gameplay.

You may want to first create a prompt to give the model an idea of what you want it to generate. Then, you can fine-tune the model on your own input data, so it can generate more specific and accurate output that aligns with your game design.

Once you have the text generated, you can use it as a guide to create the actual game components, such as the board, pieces, and cards. You can also use the generated text as the basis for a digital version of the game.

It’s also important to keep in mind that you will need a high-quality GPT-3 API key to fine-tune the model.

Once you have your GPT-3 API key, you can start by providing the model with prompts that describe the theme, mechanics, and other elements of your game. For example, you could provide a prompt like: “Design a fantasy-themed board game where players control powerful wizards competing to become the ruler of the kingdom.”

You can then use the model’s output to create the game’s rules, player actions, and objectives. You can also use the model to generate descriptions of game pieces, such as wizard miniatures and magical artifacts.

Additionally, you can use the model to create random events that can occur during gameplay, such as encounters with monsters, treasure discoveries, and other surprises.

It’s also important to test and iterate on the game mechanics and design, and make adjustments as necessary.

Creating Game Mechanics With AI

Prompt: please create game mechanics for a 2 player game that involves strategic warfare between tanks using miniature models

Sure, here are some game mechanics for a 2 player strategy game that involves tanks:

Players start with a set number of tank miniatures (e.g. 5 tanks each)
The game is played on a hex-based map, with players starting on opposite sides of the map.
Players take turns moving their tanks, with each tank able to move a certain number of hexes per turn (e.g. 3 hexes)
Players can also rotate their tanks to face different directions, but this will consume one move.
Players can attack by rolling dice to determine hit probability and damage, with tanks having different stats for armor and firepower.
Each player has a certain amount of “action points” per turn which they can use to move and attack with their tanks.
Players can also use action points to repair or reinforce their tanks
Players can also call for reinforcement of their tanks but at a cost of action points.
Players must strategize to capture key points on the map, destroy the opposing player’s tanks, or achieve other objectives to win the game.

These are just examples of possible mechanics and you can modify it as per your preference. Keep in mind that testing and playtesting will be important to fine-tune the rules and balance the game.

Adding More Elements to the Game

Prompt: incorporate a deck of cards into this game mechanic

Sure, here is a set of rules that incorporates the mechanics I previously described for a 2 player strategy game that involves tanks and a deck of cards:

Each player starts with 5 tank miniatures and a deck of cards.
The game is played on a hex-based map, with players starting on opposite sides of the map.
Players take turns moving their tanks, with each tank able to move up to 3 hexes per turn.
Players can rotate their tanks to face different directions but doing so will consume one move.
Players can attack by rolling dice to determine hit probability and damage, with tanks having different stats for armor and firepower.
Each player has a certain amount of “action points” per turn which they can use to move and attack with their tanks.
Players can also use action points to repair or reinforce their tanks.
Players can also call for reinforcement of their tanks but at a cost of action points.
At the beginning of their turn, players draw a card from their deck and can play the card at any point during their turn to gain a special advantage.
Players must strategize to capture key points on the map, destroy the opposing player’s tanks, or achieve other objectives to win the game.
The cards in the deck should be balanced and have different abilities and costs, so players must strategize about when to play which card.
Players can shuffle the discard pile to form a new deck once the deck runs out.
Players should roll dice for attacking and moving, the number of dice to roll is based on the tank’s attributes, the player can use action points to upgrade their tanks attributes.
The game ends when one player’s tanks have all been destroyed or when a player achieves a specific objective.