Last time I used ChatGPT to brainstorm fifteen characters for That Second Difficult Album, a freeform larp about a 1970s folk-rock band. This time, I thought I’d see what I could do with a plot.
Amazingly, if you continue the conversation, ChatGPT remembers its previous answers.
So, in the same conversation, I asked it:
It is 1971. The Appleyards are a successful folk-rock band with 5 members. The band need to decide where to tour to promote their next album. Give me ten suggested countries they can tour (including South Africa, the USA and behind the Iron Curtain), with the advantages and disadvantages associated with each. Give reasons for each band member for choosing that country, or reasons why they wouldn't
The reply (I’ve changed the formatting to make it easier to read, but not the actual text.)
United States of America (USA)
- Advantages:
- Jack "Jazzy" Appleyard sees the USA as a lucrative opportunity to tap into a massive music market and expand their fanbase.
- Lisa "Lix" Appleyard appreciates the diverse audience and potential for exposure.
- Simon "Strings" Appleyard believes the USA is the perfect place to showcase his guitar skills.
- Disadvantages:
- Mike "Mallets" Appleyard worries about the high competition and expensive logistics involved.
- Sally "Sticks" Appleyard expresses concerns about the intense pressure and expectation in the American music industry.
United Kingdom (UK)
- Advantages:
- Lisa "Lix" Appleyard suggests the UK due to its rich music history, vibrant music scene, and potential for media coverage.
- Marcus "Maverick" Walker, the studio engineer, points out that touring the UK would be logistically easier and less expensive than other options.
- Disadvantages:
- Jack "Jazzy" Appleyard expresses concerns about facing fierce competition in the UK and fears that they may get overshadowed by established British bands.
ChatGPT did the same for Canada, Australia, Germany, France and South Africa. It got stuck at Japan, so I asked it for three more countries, and it gave me Brazil, the Netherlands and Argentina, with the same format and detail (actually, slightly more detail).
(There may be a word or character limit to its output, so bear that in mind.)
It’s tempting to add the entire output from ChatGPT into this blog, but that will just make it verbose. That’s one of the dangers of ChatGPT – it’s too easy to use to create mediocre content. Use it with care!
So there’s loads of stuff I could use for a plot here. And it took only a few minutes to get this – it would be easy to take the best of this and turn it into a plot for a game.
Yes, it needs culling and some decent conflicts and more detail, but in terms of getting ideas, ChatGPT is a gold mine.
Then, for a bit of fun, I thought I’d ask ChatGPT about the missing drummer. You can see its response in Appendix 2, below.
Summary
So, my immediate reaction is that ChatGPT is a really useful tool during the brainstorming part of creating a freeform. It may take a few goes to get the answers you need, but you can get a lot of ideas in only a few minutes.
But is it any good at angsty plots? I will try that next time.
Appendix 1: Second try
When ChatGPT first paused, I asked it again in a new chat (rather than continuing the previous chat). As you can see, ChatGPT has forgotten the band hames it picked.
United States of America (USA)
Advantages: Huge music market, diverse audience, the potential for exposure and fanbase growth.
Disadvantages: Competitive market, expensive logistics, visa requirements.
Reasons for:
- Emily (Lead Singer): She sees the USA as the land of opportunity, where they can reach a wide audience and potentially break into the mainstream music scene.
- Mark (Lead Guitarist): He is influenced by American rock and wants to experience the cultural richness of iconic venues like The Fillmore and Whisky a Go Go.
- Sarah (Keyboardist): She recognizes the importance of the American music market and believes they can connect with like-minded artists and musicians.
Reasons against:
- Liam (Bassist): He believes that touring the USA would be too expensive and that they might get lost in the oversaturated market, preferring a more intimate tour.
- Olivia (Drummer): She worries about the band getting caught up in the chaos of the American music scene and prefers a quieter tour in a different country.
ChatGPT gave me this level of detail with UK, Canada and Australia before giving up just after starting Germany.
It also kept the same five characters – I may have got more detail because it wasn’t trying to include the studio engineers, music producers and other characters from the original response.
Appendix 2: What happened to the drummer?
Steve (new chat)
It is 1971 The Appleyards, a folk-rock band, have just finished recording their second album at a recording studio. However, the stresses of recording the album are starting to show and the drummer has gone missing. Give me five scenarios for what happened to the drummer.ChatGPT
Scenario 1: The drummer, Charlie, is a free-spirited individual with a penchant for adventure. One day, during a break from recording, he decides to embark on a spontaneous road trip. He hops into his vintage Volkswagen van and drives off, exploring the open road, leaving his bandmates puzzled and worried about his whereabouts.
Scenario 2: The recording sessions have taken a toll on Charlie, causing him to feel overwhelmed and burnt out. Feeling the need for some solitude and reflection, he retreats to a secluded cabin in the woods. He leaves a note explaining his need for a break from the band's hectic schedule and takes this opportunity to find inner peace and recharge his creative energy.
Scenario 3: Charlie, always known for his eccentric personality, becomes intrigued by a local circus passing through town. Fascinated by the acrobats and performers, he befriends them and convinces himself that joining the circus for a while would be a remarkable experience. He leaves a cryptic message for his bandmates, hinting at his new adventure, and disappears into the world of circus life.
Scenario 4: As the pressures of the recording sessions intensify, Charlie's artistic temperament clashes with the rest of the band. The constant disagreements and creative differences become unbearable for him. Frustrated and disheartened, he decides to quit the band abruptly, leaving the others in shock. He packs his bags and takes the next train to a different city, pursuing a solo career in music.
Scenario 5: Charlie, known for his love of the ocean, has always dreamed of sailing across the seas. Overwhelmed by the stress of the recording process, he seizes the opportunity to fulfil his lifelong dream. He disappears from the recording studio, leaving behind a note expressing his desire to sail away and explore the world. His bandmates are left wondering if he will ever return.
(I love the fact that the drummer ran off to join the circus in the third scenario!)
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