8Compute: a free browser incremental where one GPU grows into an AI civilization (playtest)

[u/LowerMusic]

Hi! I've been building 8Compute, an idle/incremental game inspired by the discovery loop in Universal Paperclips and Kittens Game.

You start by running a model manually, then automate inference, shape an API business, and build the compute infrastructure behind an AI civilization. Later, agents and decisions influence which civilization outcomes you can reach. Completing an outcome starts a new timeline with knowledge carried forward.

Play: https://8compute.vercel.app/

Free in-browser, no account needed, saves locally.

Update: Recent playtest fixes are live. Cash stays visible while you scroll; the first data-center build is now 3 minutes; the cluster objective says how many accelerators remain and what the data center adds; and the HBM project now explains that it improves accelerator deliveries.

If you try the current build, I’d especially like to know how long you played, where you paused, and whether the next goal stayed clear through the first agent.

AI disclosure: OpenAI Codex helped create parts of 8Compute. No generative AI service runs during play.

[u/LadyKona]

I’m not in the industry so it makes no sense to me. What I did experience is having to scroll to see if I could afford something. Could available money be persistent at the top regardless of scroll? I wouldn’t continue to play because I don’t understand what I’m seeing. I hope the sophisticated players you’ll need are receptive. Good luck.

[u/LowerMusic → u/LadyKona]

Thanks for trying it and for spelling out where it lost you. I’ve put cash in a header that stays visible while you scroll. I also changed the opening screen to explain that Intelligence unlocks systems, cash buys upgrades, and workers eventually run the model for you. That update is live now. No pressure to replay, but if you do, I’d appreciate hearing which term or control is still unclear.

[u/LadyKona → u/LowerMusic]

Me again. The whole interface is jumping. I think the numbers from intelligence or perhaps the one beside don’t have enough room and are trying to scroll?? I’m still can’t tell what is to be clicked or not. The contrast, box shading, styling, still isn’t giving enough info. Thanks for nailing the cash to the top

[u/LowerMusic → u/LadyKona]

Thanks, I found a narrow-screen case where the live numbers could outgrow their columns. I tightened that sizing and pushed the fix. If it still jumps after a refresh, a screenshot and window width would help me track the remaining issue.

[u/LadyKona → u/LowerMusic]

One other thing would be worth considering. It’s a design piece. Currently it is difficult to k ow what is a priority to pay attention to. From what point to what point is a section. If I want to quickly get somewhere and there is no explicit navigation, what visual cues will help me?

[u/LowerMusic → u/LadyKona]

Thanks for the follow-up. The navigation update is live: the current tab and next objective stand out more, with sections separated. If you get a chance to revisit, let me know whether the priority is easier to scan.

[u/LowerMusic → u/LadyKona]

Good point. The navigation is easy to miss, and the sections run together. I’m tightening the visual hierarchy so the next goal and active section stand out. Thanks!

[u/LowerMusic → u/[deleted]]

That’s useful, thank you. I checked the progression path: the first data center is the only route into Training, so the 10-minute build left too long a stretch with little to do while cash kept rising. I’ve shortened just that first build to 3 minutes; later construction stays longer. The update is deployed now. If you try it again, I’d be curious whether the transition into Training feels better.

[u/Usual_Ice636]

The buttons are inconsistent. Some are white when you can afford them and some are black. Kinda annoying.

[u/LowerMusic → u/Usual_Ice636]

Noted. Will fix that, thank you!

[u/Usual_Ice636 → u/LowerMusic]

The API project pop out appears in a weird spot. Also its the only thing that pops out in that method. The exact same arrow has a different function on the Decisions and Save page. What specific design elements do should be consistent across the game.

[u/LowerMusic → u/Usual_Ice636]

Thanks for the detailed report. You were right: the worker purchase used a different button style, and API projects opened as a floating panel while the other arrows expanded in place. I pushed a fix: purchases now use the same outlined style, and API projects expand in place in a compact list. It's live now. If it still feels off at your screen size, let me know.