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Context: > Eliza, the first visual novel from Zachtronics, the developer of Exapunks and Opus Magnum, explores a reality where digital therapy and AI merge to
by vorpalhex 7y ago
Context:
> Eliza, the first visual novel from Zachtronics, the developer of Exapunks and Opus Magnum, explores a reality where digital therapy and AI merge to solve healthcare at scale. It’s a departure from the studio’s other titles, which felt more like puzzle games for programmers. Instead, Zachtronics’ new title is a fully voice-acted, conversation-based story game where players role-play as a character engaged in a story that changes based on their decisions.
This is a visual novel game where you play as a human proxy for a counseling AI.
- pdkl95 7y agoIn addition to the exploration of using "AI" for counseling, Eliza also features an interesting ethical investigation; you play as the lead programmer who wrote the AI, left the company three years prior to the game's events, and is now taking an entry level job reading the AI-proscribed script to patients. The representation of tech-startup culture can be uncomfortably accurate. If you were thinking of ignoring this simply because it's a visual novel, remember who wrote it. This is an interactive stor from Zachtronics! Eliza is a visual novel from the same people that wrote the clever "datasheet" manual in Shenzhen I/O and the "zines" in Exapunks. Zach, more than most authors, knows how to write about tech's impact on culture/society!
- pop12121 7y agoJust wanted to correct that Eliza is actually written by Zachtronics writer Matthew Burns, not Zach, but totally agree on the ethical investigation part.