The Quest for the Best: AI Attempts to Rank EverQuest Expansions
As the 25th anniversary of EverQuest draws near, the challenge to rank its staggering 30 expansions has been passed to AI bots. With a treasure trove of information online, including a comprehensive Wikipedia listing, the task seemed straightforward enough. Yet, what transpired was a mix of horror, hilarity, and head-scratching moments.
Bing AI’s Blunder: Mixing Games and Missing Marks
Leading the charge, Bing AI’s attempt to sift through EverQuest’s rich history resulted in a mix-up between EverQuest and its sequel, EverQuest II, along with some questionable references. Despite nailing the inclusion of the iconic Ruins of Kunark expansion, Bing AI’s confusion over game titles and reliance on Daybreak forums links led to a failing grade.
Google Bard’s Creative Fiction: Inventing Expansions
Google Bard’s attempt at a palate cleanser left a bitter taste with made-up expansions and factual inaccuracies. From misnaming expansions to incorrect details about features and release dates, Bard’s creative liberties with EverQuest’s history earned it a less than stellar assessment.
ChatGPT Plays It Safe, But Stumbles on Facts
ChatGPT entered the fray with a conservative approach, naming actual expansions but showing bias towards the earlier releases. While avoiding the pitfalls of its predecessors, ChatGPT’s inaccuracies on features and storylines demonstrated that even a cautious strategy could falter, leading to a mediocre evaluation.
The Ultimate Challenge: Ranking All 30 Expansions
Unsatisfied with the initial outcomes, the bots were tasked with the herculean effort of stack ranking all 30 EverQuest expansions. Bing AI showed slight improvement by passing the absolute basics, while Google Bard seemed to spiral further into confusion. ChatGPT, however, managed to present a list that hinted at a correct answer buried within its data, yet still missed the mark on delivering a fact-based ranking.
AI’s Struggle with Subjectivity and Facts
The experiment concluded with a sobering reflection on AI’s limitations. Instead of providing factual, objective rankings, the bots leaned towards statistically pleasing answers, raising questions about our reliance on AI for accurate information. As we approach EverQuest’s 25th anniversary, it’s clear that the wisdom to discern the best expansions still rests with the human players who experienced them firsthand.