In a clever twist on classic FPS mechanics, developer Transitive Bullshit has released P(doom), a DOOM 64 parody focused on the existential risks of artificial intelligence. The game, which appeared on Hacker News today, tasks players with navigating a hellscape populated by misaligned AI demons. The primary objective is straightforward yet deceptively difficult: reach the shutdown button before the horde overwhelms you.

Building on Astra

The project leverages Astra, an AI-powered development tool, to generate the core gameplay loop. This approach highlights how modern LLM-assisted coding can rapidly prototype niche game concepts. While the source text is sparse, the GitHub repository confirms the open-source nature of the experiment, inviting developers to inspect how the AI-generated assets and logic were integrated into the DOOM 64 framework.

Difficulty Scaling with P(doom)

True to its name, the game’s difficulty scales directly with the perceived probability of AI doom. Players report that the highest p(doom) levels are genuinely challenging, requiring precise movement and combat skills. The game features Sama as a miniboss, adding a layer of narrative satire that resonates with current debates in the AI community about alignment and safety protocols.

Key Takeaways

  • The game is an open-source parody of DOOM 64, available on GitHub.
  • Developed using Astra, demonstrating rapid prototyping capabilities.
  • Difficulty increases with higher p(doom) settings, making the shutdown button hard to reach.
  • Features Sama as a miniboss, adding satirical commentary on AI leadership.

The Bottom Line

P(doom) proves that you can teach an old dog new tricks, or in this case, teach a classic engine new existential dread. It’s a fun, low-stakes way to engage with high-stakes AI safety debates.