I knew it was only a matter of time before generative AI made its way into games, and here we are. At PAX West, I played Pick Me Pick Me, a PvP dating sim. And I have to admit, I walked away more confused than ever about what exactly is going on in this game.
The game plays out like a speed dating scenario. The AI character I'm trying to impress asks me a question, I type in an answer, and they respond. If they like it, they keep talking to me. If not, they turn to my opponent and ask them questions. The questions they ask and their responses are all created through generative AI. The problem was that the questions didn’t make much sense, and I wasn’t sure how to respond. My answers felt off, and the whole experience felt disconnected and messy.
There were a few moments where I’d say words like ‘Boulder,' and the character I was trying to impress would pick up on it and make an Indiana Jones reference. That added some fun, but the overall experience still felt disjointed. There are some interesting mechanics, like using different cards to interrupt your opponent, but even that couldn’t save the game for me. I didn’t understand how to win, and in the end, neither me or my opponent won. We both lost, and I had no idea why. I walked away wondering, what exactly just happened?
After playing Pick Me, Pick Me, I found a renewed appreciation for games like The Cryptmaster, which don’t rely on generative AI. It’s clear that generative AI still has a long way to go before it fits into games smoothly (if it should be included at all), and Pick Me, Pick Me is a perfect example of how far it still needs to go.
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