Saving the world in 2126: World Destruction Games – we learn from the apocalypse

We narrowly averted the end of the world caused by AI agents last month, but I notice that I am becoming more and more tense and that conversations among friends are increasingly about worst-case scenarios, emigrating or preparing.

Felix is ​​therefore particularly caring today. My friend from 2126 makes me tea and, when I ask if the future will be better, hums as soothingly as a purring cat.

“But how do we bring humanity to reason?” I ask.

Felix carefully puts rock candy into the tea and waits until the subtle crackling noise fades away before he says: “With the World Destruction Games.”

"Because once again you're thinking way too short. You know 4X strategy games like Civilization or Age of Empires."

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"Yes, you have to try to develop a particular kingdom or civilization as much as possible, managing resources, population, research and diplomacy."

“Exactly,” says Felix. "So far, these games have been limited to a manageable level of detail, among other things because of the computing power required. But with quantum computers, it will soon no longer be a problem to create an all-encompassing world simulation in which the interactions of ten billion people are simulated. In the World Destruction Games, or WDG for short, the best players in the world compete to find out how to ruin this world most effectively."

"By detonating all the nuclear weapons and pouring nerve agent into the drinking water. But then saving the world is over. Stupid game."

"That's only the first round. After that, rules are introduced that limit the most successful world destruction strategy. In the next turn everything starts again from the beginning and you have to ruin the planet in a different way. After a short time, most of the wars have been played through, then the environmental disasters, famines and so on. From round 30 onwards you have to be a little more clever in order to bring about the apocalypse. In the last rounds it is almost impossible to destroy the world And that’s because so many resilient defense mechanisms have been created.”

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"But how does such a simulation apply to real politics? Just because I'm super good at Total War doesn't mean I'll become Defense Minister."

"That's right. But the WDG is the e-sports event of the year for us and is watched by billions of people. Governments and opposition parties are scrambling to integrate the best disaster prevention strategies into their programs after the finale. And anyone who pursues a policy that resembles one of the paths of destruction will have the results of the world simulation slapped around their ears by the community. Anyone who claims that a better future can be achieved with the oppression of minorities or a war of aggression WDG Round 3 and 145 are quickly presented to him – and then all is well in the box.”

“Well… Unfortunately, quantum computers have made one question more uncertain rather than clearer.”

“Whether our world is reality or just a simulation.”

“I wouldn’t care as long as we live in the round where no one wins the game anymore.”