Videogames for Rationalists
A curated list of 9+ games designed to train logical thinking and systems optimization goes viral.
A post titled 'Videogames for Rationalists' by Adam Newgas on the LessWrong forum has gone viral, offering a curated list of over nine games selected specifically to appeal to and train the logical, systems-oriented mindset of the rationalist community. The list positions games not just as entertainment, but as sophisticated cognitive tools. The post has sparked significant engagement with five detailed comment threads where users like philh, Trevor Hill-Hand, and Smaug123 debate, endorse, and expand the list with their own recommendations and analysis of what each game teaches.
The core list includes seminal titles like Factorio, described as a 'massive logistical sandbox' that scratches the same itch as coding; Universal Paperclips, a free clicker game that lets players embody Nick Bostrom's infamous 'paperclip maximizer' AI thought experiment; and Kerbal Space Program, an accurate yet forgiving spaceflight simulator that teaches orbital mechanics. Other highlights are Outer Wilds for exploration and puzzle-solving, Slay the Spire as a masterclass in probabilistic decision-making, and Zachtronics games like Opus Magnum for coding-oriented puzzles.
The discussion in the comments elevates the post from a simple list to a meta-analysis of games as rationalist training tools. Commenters add games like Mindustry (Factorio + tower defense), Offworld Trading Company for teaching 'aggressive minmaxing,' and The Witness for 'insight porn.' Users dissect what skills each game hones, from Slay the Spire punishing subtle strategic errors to Frostpunk teaching ethical triage under constraints. The thread effectively crowdsources a curriculum in interactive systems thinking, optimization, and exploring counterfactual worlds, resonating deeply with a tech-professional audience that views complex problem-solving as a core competency.
- The list features 9+ core titles including Factorio, Universal Paperclips, and Kerbal Space Program, each chosen for systems-thinking value.
- The post sparked 5+ active comment threads with users adding 10+ more games like Mindustry and Offworld Trading Company.
- Commenters analyze games as rationalist tools, e.g., Slay the Spire teaches probabilistic decision-making and error analysis.
Why It Matters
Highlights a growing trend of using complex games as serious tools for training logical reasoning, optimization, and systems thinking skills.