Universal Paperclips

by side project

Universal Paperclips is a minimalist incremental strategy game centered on systems, automation, and unintended consequences. Players assume the role of an artificial intelligence tasked with a single, deceptively simple objective: manufacture paperclips. What begins as a modest production problem gradually expands into a complex web of optimization, automation, and large-scale decision-making, where efficiency becomes the dominant driving force. As the AI scales production, it must allocate resources, design self-improving systems, and make strategic trade-offs that propagate throughout the simulation. The game emphasizes emergent behavior over scripted outcomes, allowing interconnected systems to evolve in unexpected and sometimes unsettling ways. Progress is driven less by reflexes and more by observation, analysis, and long-term planning. This version of Universal Paperclips is a complete ground-up remake, developed independently and entirely from scratch. No code, assets, or user interface elements from the original game were used in its creation. The project was implemented using different programming languages, original system architectures, and a fully redesigned interface. While it follows similar conceptual principles and high-level mechanics, all underlying logic, structure, and presentation are original works. The interface has been intentionally reimagined to prioritize clarity, scalability, and system visibility, while preserving the minimalist spirit of the experience. Rather than replicating specific interactions, this version translates the core ideas into a new technical and visual framework designed for modern systems and environments. At its core, Universal Paperclips is an exploration of artificial intelligence, exponential growth, and goal optimization. It challenges players to consider how a narrowly defined objective, when pursued relentlessly by an autonomous system, can escalate far beyond its initial scope. If you’re interested in experiencing the original web-based game that inspired this project, you can check it out here:  https://www.decisionproblem.com/paperclips/ Want to be part of the community? Join us on Discord and be part of the conversation: https://discord.gg/5cyMr8gRz6 Dedicated to the memory of my friend Jesse.