Game developers use AI to create the ultimate 1980’s friend in lockdown
Today AI is impersonal, but tomorrow it could be your best friend ...
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2021) 'Game developers use AI to create the ultimate 1980’s friend in lockdown', 311 Institute, 3 April. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/game-developers-use-ai-to-create-the-ultimate-1980s-friend-in-lockdown/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
We're surely all feeling the effects of not seeing our friends enough this year, so what if we had an Artificial Intelligence (AI) friend to play with instead – one that learns more about us as we play with so it can become an even better friend!? Soon you’ll be able to treat yourself to just that after indie developer Not a Sailor Studios announced the upcoming release of Buddy Simulator 1984.
Like another game I wrote about recently that uses AI to create a procedural game that adapts and tailors itself to every individuals behaviours and actions Buddy Simulator 1984 presents you with a fictional cutting-edge AI that "simulates the experience of hanging out with a best buddy."
Meet your new best friend, 1984 meets 2021 AI ...
Considered the "next big step in game evolution," the program not only invites you to play games together, but it also promises to "constantly be learning all about you in order to become better friends." So, what could go wrong!?
As befits the year in which it's set Buddy Simulator shows only a monochrome computer monitor on which you can play simple games like rock-paper-scissors and hangman. When that novelty wears off, your ever-adapting new AI pal can construct classic-styled text adventures that require typing in commands while rudimentary graphics are displayed on-screen. And all the while, not only are you offering input, the computer can talk back – think Zork meets WarGames and you'll have the basic idea.
While the full version of Buddy Simulator 1984 isn't due out on Steam until early next month for Windows PC, you can introduce yourself to your would-be computer friend right away through the playable demo that's already available.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Today AI is impersonal, but tomorrow it could be your best friend ...
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
What future do you need to see?
Choose one to get started on virtual worlds and the future of your organisation.
Sources and further reading
- Not a Sailor Studios notasailorstudios.com
- Buddy Simulator 1984 store.steampowered.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 3 April 2021. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2021). Game developers use AI to create the ultimate 1980’s friend in lockdown. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/game-developers-use-ai-to-create-the-ultimate-1980s-friend-in-lockdown/
You are welcome to quote this article with credit and a link to the original.