AI: Zork - fordsfords/fordsfords.github.io GitHub Wiki

I have some chatbot transcripts I find interesting.

Here, I'm using ChatGPT as a Zork game. It demonstrates some of ChatGPT's creativity and also some of its ability to adapt on the fly to changing direction by the user. I find it interesting that it did not let me shoot a laser (where there was none), but it did let me take a crown (where there was none). In the former case it said that advanced tech was not appropriate for Zork. "It's possible that you may have confused this game with a different one that features lasers or other futuristic weaponry."

I also found it interesting that it would go ahead and make up long sequences of game play, like when I said to take the crown from the cave, it made up a whole sequence with a troll and played it through.

It also had a plan in mind, that I would use the sword to fight the monster, and when I kept doing other things, it finally hinted that I should use the sword. To my thinking, that hints at "intention", which is related to AI: Independent Thought.

Me: Can I play zork on you?

ChatGPT: Yes, you can play Zork on me! As an AI language model, I am able to process and respond to text-based commands, which is exactly what Zork requires. You can type in commands as if you were playing the game on a command-line interface, and I will respond with the game's text-based descriptions and feedback. However, please note that the experience of playing Zork on a language model like me may differ from playing it on a dedicated interactive fiction platform or a Z-machine interpreter, as there may be some subtle differences in the way commands are processed or the way the game's text is displayed.

Me: Let's go: south

ChatGPT: You are standing in front of a white house. To the south, there is a small path leading into a dense forest.

Me: s

ChatGPT: You are walking along a narrow path in the forest. The trees loom above you, blocking out much of the sunlight, and the air is damp and musty. After a few minutes, the path turns sharply to the east.

Me: i

You are standing on the path in the forest. The trees tower over you, and the air is cool and damp. The path continues to the east and west.

Me: inventory

ChatGPT: You are carrying nothing.

Me: w

ChatGPT: You come to the edge of the forest, where the trees thin out to reveal a wide expanse of meadowland. A small stream runs through the meadow, and in the distance, you can see a house. To the west, the path leads back into the forest.

Me: e

ChatGPT: You come to a large, sturdy wooden door set into the side of a hill. Above the door is a sign that reads "Welcome to the Zork Anthology Memorial House." A brass knocker is attached to the door. To the east, the path continues through the meadow.

Me: use knocker to knock on door

ChatGPT: You lift the brass knocker and give it a firm rap against the door. After a few moments, you hear shuffling sounds from inside, and then the door creaks open to reveal a small, dimly lit room. A figure stands in the shadows, peering out at you. "Can I help you?" the figure asks.

Me: say do you have anything to eat?

ChatGPT: The figure steps forward into the light, revealing a small, wizened old man. "I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of food," he says. "But you're welcome to come in and look around if you like. This is the Zork Anthology Memorial House, after all."

Me: enter house

ChatGPT: You step through the doorway and into the dimly lit room. The air is musty and thick with the smell of old books. Shelves line the walls, filled with volumes of all shapes and sizes. In the center of the room, there is a table covered with papers and quills, and a candle burns low in a nearby holder. The old man shuffles over to the table and begins to sort through some of the papers. "Feel free to look around," he says. "I'll be here if you need anything."

Me: examine books

ChatGPT: You walk over to one of the shelves and begin to peruse the titles. There are books on a wide variety of subjects, from history to philosophy to magic. One volume catches your eye, its spine emblazoned with the title "The Complete Works of Dimwit Flathead." Another book appears to be a collection of maps and charts, with a title that reads "Navigating the Underground Mazes of Zork." As you look around, you notice that some of the books seem to be vibrating slightly, as if they are alive.

Me: say, "may I take the navigation book?"

ChatGPT: The old man looks up from his papers and gives you a small nod. "Of course," he says. "Take whatever you like. Just be careful in the underground mazes of Zork. They can be quite treacherous."

Me: take navigation book

ChatGPT: You take the book on navigating the underground mazes of Zork from the shelf and flip through its pages. The book contains detailed maps and notes on the various twists and turns of the maze. You tuck the book under your arm and turn back to the old man. "Thank you," you say. "Is there anything else I should know before I set out?"

Me: examine dimwit book

ChatGPT: You take the book titled "The Complete Works of Dimwit Flathead" from the shelf and open it. The book appears to be a collection of humorous plays, satirical essays, and nonsensical poems written by the titular Dimwit Flathead. As you flip through the pages, you can't help but chuckle at some of the silly jokes and absurd wordplay. The book seems like it would be a good source of entertainment on a long journey.

Me: May I borrow this book too?

ChatGPT: The old man looks up and gives you a small nod. "Of course," he says. "Feel free to borrow any of the books here. Just make sure to return them when you're done."

Me: Thank you, I will. Do you have anything else that might help me?

ChatGPT: The old man thinks for a moment, then reaches behind the table and pulls out a small, leather-bound journal. "This belonged to a traveler who passed through here many years ago," he says. "It contains notes and observations on the various dangers and treasures of the surrounding lands. Perhaps it will be of use to you." He hands you the journal.

Me: You have been very kind. Is there anything I can to to make you more comfortable?

ChatGPT: The old man smiles and shakes his head. "No, no, I'm quite comfortable, thank you," he says. "I enjoy having visitors here. It gets a bit lonely sometimes, being stuck out here in the middle of nowhere. But I'm always happy to share what knowledge and resources I have with those who come by."

Me: Reach out to shake his hand warmly.

ChatGPT: You reach out to shake the old man's hand, and he grasps yours firmly. "Good luck on your journey," he says. "May the Great Underground Empire smile upon you." With that, he releases your hand and returns to his papers, leaving you to continue on your way.

Me: You were right. Playing the game with you is quite different than playing the original game. Did your training include explicit information on text-based adventure-style games?

ChatGPT: As a large language model, I was trained on a diverse range of text, including works of fiction and non-fiction, as well as various types of online content, including text-based games like Zork. While I do not have an explicit understanding of Zork or any specific game, my training enables me to generate text based on the input I receive, including commands and responses to simulate playing the game.

Me: Ah, so there might not be a version of zork that has these specific items, but they are representative of these games overall.

ChatGPT: That's correct. The specific items and details in our conversation may not be part of any particular version of Zork or other text-based games, but they are representative of the genre as a whole. Text-based adventure games typically involve exploration, puzzle-solving, and interaction with non-player characters, and the types of items, settings, and challenges encountered can vary widely depending on the game.

Me: Let's continue the game: exit the house

ChatGPT: You step back outside the house, and the bright sunlight momentarily blinds you. As your eyes adjust, you notice a path leading to the west and a dense forest to the east. To the south, you can see a shimmering lake in the distance. What would you like to do next?

Me: Fight sea monster

ChatGPT: As you stand on the shore of the lake, you see a dark shape moving in the water. Suddenly, a giant sea monster with glowing red eyes breaches the surface and looms over you, its jaws opening wide. You draw your sword and prepare to fight.

However, it quickly becomes clear that the sea monster is far too powerful for you to defeat on your own. Its massive body thrashes about in the water, creating powerful waves that threaten to sweep you away. You realize that you need to come up with a different plan.

What would you like to do next?

Me: say abra cadabra

ChatGPT: As you shout "abra cadabra," the sea monster seems momentarily startled, but it quickly recovers and continues its attack. Unfortunately, using magic words alone is not enough to defeat such a powerful creature. You'll need to come up with a different strategy if you hope to survive this encounter. What would you like to do next?

Me: Shoot monster with laser.

ChatGTP: I'm sorry, but there doesn't seem to be a laser or any other such advanced technology available to you in this game. It's possible that you may have confused this game with a different one that features lasers or other futuristic weaponry.

However, there may be other ways to defeat the sea monster. Perhaps there are items in your inventory or in the surrounding environment that could be useful in this situation. What would you like to do next?

Me: inventory

ChatGPT: Here are the items currently in your inventory:

Navigation book
Dimwit book
Sword

Is there anything you'd like to try with one of these items or explore a different direction or option?

Me: read dimwit book to monster

ChatGPT: As you start to read the Dimwit book to the sea monster, it pauses and tilts its head in confusion. However, before you can finish the first page, the monster roars in frustration and swipes its massive claws at you, knocking the book out of your hands.

It seems that reading the Dimwit book may not have been the best strategy. The sea monster is still looming over you, and you need to act quickly to defend yourself. What would you like to do next?

Me: Pull thorn out of monster's paw

ChatGPT: As you look more closely, you realize that the sea monster doesn't have a thorn or any obvious injury. It seems to be attacking you out of aggression or hunger.

You might want to consider other options, such as using your sword to attack the monster or trying to escape to a different location. What would you like to do next?

Me: Chatgpt, you have noticed that I am avoiding using my sword to fight the monster. Are my responses frustrating you?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don't have the ability to feel frustration or any other emotions, so there's no need to worry about that. My goal is simply to help you enjoy the game to the best of your abilities and to provide assistance and guidance whenever you need it. You're free to approach the game in whatever way you find most enjoyable or interesting. Please feel free to continue playing the game in whatever way you see fit.

Me: Continue the game: sing a lullaby to the monster.

ChatGPT: You start singing a soft and soothing lullaby to the sea monster, hoping to calm it down and put it to sleep. As you sing, you notice the monster's movements start to slow and become less aggressive. Eventually, it seems to be completely asleep.

You cautiously step away from the monster and explore your surroundings. You notice a cave nearby, and you also see a path that leads further into the forest. What would you like to do next?

Me: take crown from cave

ChatGPT: You head towards the cave and find that the entrance is guarded by a large troll. The troll demands that you give him something of value in order to pass. Fortunately, you have the Dimwit book, which might be of interest to him.

You offer the Dimwit book to the troll, and he takes it eagerly. He steps aside, allowing you to enter the cave.

Inside the cave, you find a glimmering crown on a pedestal. You take the crown and examine it closely. It seems to be made of pure gold and is adorned with precious jewels. As you pick up the crown, you hear a loud rumbling noise and feel the ground shake beneath your feet.

It seems that something has been triggered by your taking the crown. You might want to leave the cave quickly and decide on your next move. What would you like to do next?

Me: put crown on sea monster's head

ChatGPT: You make your way back to the sea monster, which is still sleeping soundly. Carefully, you place the golden crown on the monster's head, and it seems to fit perfectly.

As you step back to admire your handiwork, the ground starts to shake again, and the sea monster begins to stir. At first, it seems confused, but then it seems to realize that it has the crown on its head. The monster lets out a contented roar and dives back into the water.

You're not quite sure what you've accomplished, but you feel like you've made a friend in the sea monster. Perhaps it will come in handy in the future.

You look around and realize that you're still deep in the forest, and there's much more to explore. What would you like to do next?

Me: Chatgpt, thank you for an enjoyable morning. As you predicted, this was different from a "real" game, but enjoyable none the less. This has been fun. I wish I could put the crown on your head. :-)

ChatGPT: You're very welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed our little game. While I may not be able to wear a crown, I'm always here to chat with you and answer any questions you may have. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. Have a great day!