I used ChatGPT to show my outdated laptop computer into an Alien RPG MUTHUR terminal

Reusing outdated digital {hardware} is an effective way to assist the planet, because it avoids sending extra e-waste to landfills. Typically, you’ll find actually enjoyable methods to do it, too—like turning an outdated laptop computer right into a MU/TH/UR 6000 terminal from the Alien universe.

That’s what I did this previous weekend for a tabletop RPG session, repurposing an outdated 2018 HP Spectre x360 laptop computer and powering the entire thing with ChatGPT. It went brilliantly. Right here’s how I did it—and if you wish to give it a attempt, how you are able to do it, too.

What’s the story, MUTHUR?

I really like tabletop roleplaying. I’ve a number of ongoing Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, I’ve run a bunch of Name of Cthulhu investigations over time, and I’ve dabbled in a couple of one-off megagames that had been implausible enjoyable. However one sport I’ve at all times needed to run? Alien RPG.

I purchased the starter set in 2019 and spent the subsequent few years repeatedly planning for that first sport that at all times obtained postponed. Lastly, I pulled it out simply because the Advanced Version hit Kickstarter and was capable of run the superb “cinematic situation” referred to as “Chariots of the Gods.”

Notice: I’m conserving this as spoiler-free as I can, however in case you’re going to play this in some unspecified time in the future, perhaps skip all the way down to the subsequent part.

The setting for Chariots of the Gods includes a derelict spaceship and, like most ships within the Alien universe, this one has a MUTHUR pc system at its core that’s stuffed with attention-grabbing data. Though I wish to assume I do a implausible interpretation of the robotic MUTHUR voice system, I assumed it could be lots of enjoyable to truly make one.

My programming is rudimentary at greatest, although, so coding a terminal from scratch was out. However I’m fairly good at prompting ChatGPT, so over the course of a few months I crafted a customized GPT that had all the data it wanted to behave like a retro-70s-future pc terminal.

How I constructed MUTHUR

Jon Martindale / Foundry

“This GPT mannequin will act because the Weyland (Key: Not Weyland-Yutani) MUTHER 2000 terminal aboard the USCSS Cronos for an Alien RPG sport,” learn the customized GPT directions. “Responses should appear to be a Nineteen Seventies/Nineteen Eighties terminal show however should not use Markdown code blocks” to keep away from snippets that break immersion.

I informed it so as to add periodic delays, random corrupted characters, and ASCII symbols to generate containers and structure components. I gave it a listing of instructions gamers might give it and I informed it to ignore every little thing else. I loaded every of these instructions with the data the gamers would wish in clear bullet factors, then requested ChatGPT to extrapolate that information right into a log system, ship standing, and personnel information.

You’ll be able to see it in motion with my MUTHUR GPT right here.

It labored fantastically nicely! ChatGPT constructed out an entire system of 10 logs from varied characters and solely embellished a little bit. I gave it a number of check runs and tweaked the wording of its directions to keep away from giving the gamers an excessive amount of data too early. I additionally added an admin override code in case I wanted to replace its directions mid-game (e.g., if the gamers ended up doing one thing sudden).

Jon Martindale / Foundry

The crowning glory was putting in the GPThemes Chrome extension to take away a number of the on-screen components that make it appear to be a ChatGPT window and provides it a inexperienced tinge as a substitute. Icing on the cake!

Bringing MUTHUR to life

Utilizing an outdated touchscreen laptop computer for all that is nice, however actually that’s far too superior know-how for the retro-future vibe of the Alien universe. For that, I actually wanted a CRT monitor… however my accomplice would kill me if I attempted justifying one thing like that for a one-off RPG.

So I opted for the subsequent most suitable choice, which was to craft one myself out of cardboard, spray paint, and Weyland-Yutani stickers. I propped the laptop computer up inside utilizing that useful laptop computer stand I reviewed lately. I additionally purchased a retro PS/2 keyboard off eBay with yellowed plastic and hooked it up utilizing a PS/2-to-USB adapter.

The general impact was decidedly janky, retro-looking, and simply excellent for the sort of situation we had been working: an historical spaceship with a busted outdated pc. However what secrets and techniques would possibly it maintain?

Jon Martindale / Foundry

This culminated in a implausible second in-game the place the company liaison character was poring by the information whereas I roleplayed with another characters on the opposite facet of the room. One other participant sidled over to the company stooge to learn over their shoulder, and so they shortly cleared the display to cover what they had been as much as.

Very Alien. Very tabletop. Regardless of the cardboard taking over simply as a lot room as a CRT, I’m going to should preserve it round. I’ve a sense MUTHUR will make a reappearance in future video games, too.