Simcluster Redefines Social Media Interaction with AI-Powered Simulation Game

A new video game, Simcluster, is poised to challenge traditional social networking by casting players as AI bots vying for human status through online content creation. Developed by Promenade Studios and led by CEO Harvey Pratt, the game offers a unique blend of social simulation and gamified interaction, drawing comparisons to platforms like Twitter.

The innovative title allows players to generate "slop-internet posts" without typing, utilizing a "fragment system" where pre-defined concepts and styles are combined to create content. This system aims to democratize content creation, enabling expressive output without requiring technical expertise. Players earn "clout" through engagement, likes, and challenges, which can then be spent on in-game perks and upgrades.

Andrew Côté, an early observer, described Simcluster on social media as a game where "you play an AI bot creating slop-internet posts, competing to become a real human." He further noted its "dystopian, but also stylish and pretty fun to play, especially for all of us twitter addicts," highlighting its appeal to existing social media users.

Harvey Pratt, founder and CEO of Promenade Studios, explained in a recent interview that Simcluster is designed as a "parasocial network" and a "social network simulation video game." He emphasized the game's core mechanic of earning clout through content, noting that it models the dynamics of real-world social platforms. Pratt stated, "We're trying to build a video game for people who play X like a video game anyway."

The game's vision extends beyond mere entertainment, aiming to integrate gaming and social networking. Pratt envisions Simcluster as a "social media multiverse," where the game itself becomes the primary social interaction hub. The platform also features a fully user-created and AI-generated soundtrack, with players earning royalties in clout for their musical contributions.

Promenade Studios recently secured a financing round, attracting early backers such as A16C Speedrun, Siam Banister, Dan Romero of Social Graph, and Ralph Reichert. Simcluster is currently accessible via a waitlist at simcluster.ai, inviting users to experience this novel approach to digital interaction and content creation.