Automatic GM

[Headfirst]

Does anyone know of an app, program, or pen-and-paper ruleset that simulates an automatic GM? I'm not talking about a system that randomly generates a dungeon, I mean a full-fledged simulated AI that can assemble a workable story arc using PC input that generates level-appropriate, engaging encounters that can effectively replace the need for a GM. Anyone heard of anything like that?

[Captain collateral damage]

Humans are nowhere near advanced enough to create such an AI.

[Java Man]

Skyrim?

[Headfirst]

Hmm, maybe I'm not explaining this well enough.

Picture it this way: A full-size, hard-cover Pathfinder guide book written like a catalog of modular Choose Your Own Adventure modules.

You begin by assembling your PCs and record some basic information into an ongoing adventure log. How many PCs, what races, classes, levels, average party level, etc. These values are used to fill in Madlibs style blanks in the adventure. How many goblins attack? ([Average Party Level]*1d4) Etc, etc, etc.

As stated above, this would need to be more than just a dungeon/battle generator, so it would use story templates with blanks filled in by random generation. In effect, these would be procedurally-generated adventures. It's important to note that "procedural" doesn't mean "wildly random." It's randomness within given constraints weighted toward plausibility. You've got a higher chance of encountering yetis than salamanders in the snowy arctic mountains, for example.

Naturally, you could build some crazy randomness and plot twists into the story arcs, too. A rather plain-sounding adventure where the king hires you to go to a dungeon and kill a lich could randomly produce a twist where [Employer] turns out to be [Villain] right at the end.

I think that, with a robust Automatic GM system, you could generate fun adventures that might not replace a good GM, but could easily fill in for a one-off session or two.

[Tyinyk]

As far as I know, there's no program that will do 100% of your pre-game prep for you. I've seen many generators that will make dungeons and encounters based on your APL for you, but the story and such is generally the job of a Human.

[Baval]

yes, there are a few that im aware of. basically though its just a RNG, you ask it questions and then at your best estimate answer how likely it is the answer would be favorable, then it spits out an answer

The one im thinking of also has the things youre looking for, it can generate a random scenario for you including twists. I cant remember what it was called or find it though.

[Baval]

here it is, it comes in a book form but i remember finding a program for it too.

http://thelonecrusader.com/is-the-mythic-game-master-emulator-the-holy-grai l-of-solo-roleplaying

[Baval]

theres also this site thats more like your choose your own adventure thing, I dont like it but you might

http://dnd.chromesphere.com/

[Headfirst]

Baval wrote:

here it is, it comes in a book form but i remember finding a program for it too.

http://thelonecrusader.com/is-the-mythic-game-master-emulator-the-holy-grai l-of-solo-roleplaying

I think that link is wrong... nothing shows up.

[GM Rednal]

Did you try deleting the space in "grail"?

[Jeraa]

Headfirst wrote:

Baval wrote:

here it is, it comes in a book form but i remember finding a program for it too.

http://thelonecrusader.com/is-the-mythic-game-master-emulator-the-holy-grai l-of-solo-roleplaying

I think that link is wrong... nothing shows up.

Remove the space in the word grail. If you don't use URL tags, the board automatically puts a space in there on longer URLs.

[Headfirst]

Ahh, cool. Great suggestions, guys. Reading them over now!