Event 0, Featuring Relationship Building with an AI Computer, Launches Today

Innovation and sci-fi often go hand-in-hand. Sci-fi is too often a tunnel with infinite possibilities lingering on the other side, but when the genre is blended with video gaming, the tunnel is filled with nothing but a whirlwind that easily sweeps up the feet of curious minds.

Some sci-fi games bear this tendency, carrying remarkable aspects that somehow innovate the sci-fi genre. And Event[0] seems to fall into the descriptor of innovative.

How do I mean? Well, let's refer to the synopsis: in Event[0], you're building a relationship with an unstable AI Computer using natural language.

Interesting? Certainly. Creative? Definitely.

Event[0] is considered to be a story-driven adventure in which players must establish a heartwarming relationship with lonely spaceship computer in order to return home.

The title, which began as a six-month student project before growing into something far more, is set in a "retrofuture" that's actually inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, Solaris, and Brave New World (that is one creepy novel). You play as a lonely player who must confront and speak with an insecure entity named Kaizen. You'll be able to interact with Kaizen by typing messages using antiquated computer terminals found throughout the spacecraft. Alongside a multi-layered story are exploration and hacking puzzles galore, but what's most interesting would have to be the conversation between Kaizen and yourself, as the AI offers two million lines of procedurally generated dialog, several different personalities, and communication responses.

By responses, I mean - since Kaizen is essentially the ship named Nautilus - the ship will react to Kaizen by making different sounds, providing players with subtle reactions.

In other words, you're calming down a sentient AI so you can bring the ship back to Earth. But wait; why is Kaizen so freaked out in the first place? Well, you'll have to find out now, won't you?

You know, this game suddenly reminds me of Analogue: A Hate Story. Highly recommended, by the way.

Anyway, Event[0] appears quite interesting. It certainly helps that the developers are excited about the release. According to Sergey Mohov, Founding Parter and Game Designer at Ocelot Society:
 

"We're extremely proud and excited about our game launch as its been a true labor of love from our small team for over a year now and weve poured everything into it. What started off as a student project turned into a full game that were fortunate to have caught the eye of The Indie Fund to help realize our vision. Event[0] is all about self-expression through dialogue and unique experiences so it will be rewarding to see how players receive and interact with Kaizen in their quest to make it back home alive to Earth.

So, does Event[0] capture your curiosity? Are you inclined to purchase the title?

If so, you may purchase Event[0] on Steam, Humble Bundle, GOG.com, Itch.io, and Games Republic for $19.99.