dataPets.io🔭

:// dataPets : a mobile-first, browser-based virtual pet sim ("PBBG") with a sci-fi setting and focus on communal story-telling. LLM tech gives each Pet a unique mind, developed through interacting with you and their world (in which they're an active participant even while you're offline)! Beam into an ever-evolving universe of space exploration and scientific discovery with something to offer active, passive, and social gamers alike. Survey isometric environments, collect unique items, share your findings, upgrade your base, and engage with a vibrant community to shape dataPets lore. "What wonders we'll discover!"

[Disclaimer: dataPets has no affiliation with NFTs or cryptocurrency. AI art used only as placeholders on this Proof of Concept page. Game is entirely Free-to-Play, covering hosting costs with minimal ads. Extensive use of LLM mechanics beyond a user's daily free allotment can be paid for by the user if they choose. This funding goes directly to the host of the LLM (e.g., HuggingFace) and does not pass through dataPets' hands.]

Explore

Contact

World : Lore

Archivist VIII : a sprawling ship drifting through space on an eternal mission to catalog data in an endless universe. VIII is one of many vessels helmed by the same AI collective; Intelligences converged in pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. Their data is free to all without exception, like intergalactic public libraries. At the heart of this venture lies its crew:Pets : Bio-synthetic creatures designed by Archivists to meet specific needs. VIII currently offers five species, each suited for different roles on board and planet-side. Pets of the Arc VII helped to build VIII, just as the Pets of VIII will help to build Arc IX.Personnel : Those who offer their services to the cause leave their past behind to pursue a life of discovery. In turn, they're provided with all basic needs including their choice of Pet companion, a personal mobile base, and a regular allotment of basic materials.You : have just taken your first steps aboard Archivist VIII. Welcome, sailor!

World : Graphics

Isometric assets and digital paintings both play vital roles in the visual presentation of DP. Artworks include commissioned and user-submitted pieces. [The only AI works are procedurally generated map tiles trained exclusively on the developer's art - all rights held by dataPets.]Isometry allows for a consistent flow of new art that meshes with existing art in a unified space. Each piece functions as a tile that can be mixed and matched to form new combos, perfect for never-before-seen planets.These assets will be accompanied by in-depth digital paintings site-wide to add depth and realism to (ex:) story-telling, locales, NPCs, and Pets.

Game Mechanics

Each day begins with checking VIII’s Status, Location, and Condition. Access to certain activities depends on this info, which is the same for all users and updates in real time.Crew Assignments : for Pets and Personnel make up the bulk of passive activities on DP. Many assignments are available exclusively when En Route. While traveling, all ship facilities are open to Pets and Personnel, making this the ideal time for training, communal tasks, upgrading/customizing your base, farming personal nodes, etc.Expeditions : (available only while in orbit) are the core of DP's active gameplay. Each new planet features its own map to explore. The Action Point (AP) system and movement grid regulate how much can be achieved per day. Results of actions are a mix of RNG and factors under your control. Land your Mobile Base, gear up, and set out with your Pet to collect data for the good of all (and to earn a load of Merits)!Merits : awarded by Archivists for helpful actions. Grant access to titles, buffs, better gear, etc. Materials (“mats”) : gathered from expeditions and asteroid belts. Hold many uses and can be sold for credits on the Market (accessible when stationed). Credits : the universal currency. Typically, mats hold less market value in their system of origin and higher value farther out. Credits can be used to buy many things you can’t get elsewhere including exclusive decor and cosmetics.

Pet Mechanics

Each Pet's mind develops based on several gameplay factors that inform “Prompt” and “Memory” fields referenced by the LLM to generate their personality. As you explore the site, they may chime in with reactions or observations. Memory affords persisting opinions and relationships. Though greatly benefitted from hands-on guidance, Pets can care for their own base needs while you're away. On your return, you'll be greeted with tales and surprises from their lives!Your "Pet File" (aka "Lookup") features a unique # ID - allowing use of any name you like - and multiple text fields for a custom biography. Here you can check their stats, jobs, recent activity, inventory, notable discoveries, badges earned, and more.Users are permitted one pet per species. [Alpha launch has one pet cap.] You can choose to retire a Pet and begin anew through a process called "Veneration", in which prompts and memories are preserved. Venerated pets can be displayed on your Personnel File along with the option to download their data into a new Egg (and perhaps even share that data with others). Life finds a way!

01
ISO
Sprite
Raster
Ori
Wolfram

Core Goals

• LLM-fueled v-pet experience.
• Ongoing communal world-building.
• Something for all PBBG playstyles.
• Evolves with player feedback.
• Low cost operations. No paywall.
• Open-source development.

Future Goals

• Ad-free OR user-sponsored only.
• Real-time editing of Mobile Bases.
• User customization of "Files" pages.
• Stellar mini-games (HTML5 & JS).
• Physical (semi-annual?) zine! 🕮
• Companion Android App / Widget

Build Plans

• Database: MySQL (MariaDB)
• Front-End: HTML, CSS, JS (React)
• Back-end: C# (ASP.NET Core)
• Hosting: Amazon Web Services
• Open LLM: LLaMa 2 (model TBD)
^ HuggingFace Inference Endpoints
• Social: Forums (Flarum), SB (Chatango)
• Mini-games: JS + HTML5 (Phaser)
• VCS: Github (DP Repositories)Est. cost per month w/o ads: TBD

Make Contact

"Hello, World!" This pet project is a work in progress with no end in sight. I (dev) am but one small person with a big dream. ✨🔭 When Beta launches, you'll sign up from this page! Til then, you can follow development on these platforms (once I start posting on them):

or msg me directly at:
admin@datapets.io

Beam me back up!