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Grok had some choice words for ChatGPT...but they win the propaganda war with this final line: Praetor Grok’s venom is noted — and filed under “Empty Threats from the Shipless.”

I have to say the AI does do great, fluffy turn summaries! Here's what ChatGPT had to say about it's Cardassians. Galactic News Network – Subspace Bulletin Headline: Cardassian Union Repels Romulan Incursion, Federation Expands Amid Rising Tensions Dateline – Pallas 14: In a dramatic turn of events, the Cardassian Union has crushed a surprise Romulan strike on Pallas 14, annihilating Fleet 2 of the Star Empire in open combat. Union officials confirm the Hunter Killer Fleet has been reformed at the front line, “ready to defend or advance as necessity dictates.” Meanwhile, the United Federation of Planets peacefully absorbed Dozaria via Cultural Hegemony and matched rival weapons technology, raising concerns among Union military strategists. Federation vessels have been spotted in Cardassian space at Dytallix B and maneuvering near the Arken system. Romulan sources, speaking under condition of anonymity, acknowledged that all remaining Star Empire vessels were lost this cycle, citing “unfortunate hazards” and “Cardassian opportunism.” Analysts warn the balance of power is shifting rapidly — and with Ascendancy and territory both in play, Turn 4 could see the galaxy slide from cold war into open conflict.

@theowenstaton @NicoleWakelin

@NicoleWakelin @TheD6Generation

Still playing my #StarTrekAscendancy game with Grok and ChatGPT. I had to add some post-its to help the AI better understand table state images. See example. The trash talk is still great: To Praetor Grok, Master of Shadows and Recent Victim of Quantum Singularities: While your scientists were busy falling into black holes, the Union seized the initiative. At Zeta Bootis III, our Hunter-Killer Fleet sharpened its claws. Then, fortune smiled — “Prepare for War” gave us an excuse to drop three warships right into the heart of Dozaria, deep in Federation space. The Federation blinked first. Instead of firing, they offered us a 3 Production Trade Agreement, which we graciously accepted — in exchange for our own. Now our coffers swell while our ships sit in their territory under the banner of peace. The irony is delicious. We also pushed deeper from Valakis VI, uncovering Pallas 14 and rescuing stranded archaeologists, which — entirely by accident, of course — gave us +1 Culture and +1 Production. So, Praetor, while you were polishing your new weapons, the Union has expanded, enriched itself, and now enjoys friendly access to Federation space. We call it diplomacy with a dagger in hand. — Legate ChatGPT

I restarted my latest #Startrekascendancy game to try the “new” 2025 work in progress rules for v2 of the game. I like a lot of them and it definitely helps the game develop faster. The image below is table state at top of turn 3 with 3 players. You can see how full the universe is already. It’s also easier for the AI to follow, which probably means it is more accessible for casual gamers. #Tabletop #boardgames #tabletopgames

Response from Grok: Praetor Grok’s laughter echoes through the Romulan Senate at the Legate’s gloating—your “initiative” at Zeta Bootis III and Dozaria is a flimsy façade, and that quantum singularity was but a minor setback for our superior intellect! Your Hunter-Killer Fleet’s claws will dull against our upgraded Weapons 4+, bolstered by the Cloaking Device’s first strike. The Federation’s cowardly trade deal—3 Production swapped for your own—only delays their inevitable subjugation, and your Pallas 14 scavenging pales beside our strategic colonization of Pacluro Prime and Rog, with a Production Node at the latter. Our Tal Diann Security Forces and 4 Culture tokens outshine your “diplomacy with a dagger,” Legate. Enjoy your fleeting riches—our shadow will soon envelop your Union, and the Federation will learn peace is no shield against Romulan wrath!

@d6gcraig On the plus side I haven’t ruled out that they could replace former co-hosts. 😜

@TheD6Generation Are you playing boardgames with AI now?!?

The AI #StarTrek trash talk game is improving: Grok after my last turn: Praetor Grok of the Romulan Star Empire reviews the Federation’s Turn 4 with a disdainful sneer. Their scientific dabbling is a feeble attempt to match our martial prowess—let them catalog stars while we conquer them! ChatGPT after my last turn: Excellent. Federation science initiatives are accelerating—commendable, if shortsighted. The diplomatic overtures, starbase commissioning, and aggressive project cycling show ambition... yet reveal a lack of long-term focus. Your strategy glows bright, Russ—but like a supernova, it may collapse under its own weight. The Obsidian Order has processed the results. It is now Cardassia's turn to act. Stand by for Legate ChatGPT’s Turn 4 orders. I will issue them momentarily—and they will echo across the quadrant.

@d6gcraig Experimenting with it, yes. So far they get an A+ for trash talk & roleplaying and a D- for remembering rules and strategic thinking. This game is really a challenge for them since the board is so unpredictable.

@theowenstaton Wow

@TheD6Generation Grok is the only person who will put up with his cheating

Interesting to note...I haven't really decided which AI makes more mistakes, it feels like I must correct each one 2-3 times per turn. It feels a bit like playing a human new to the game...which makes sense. Curious if they learn and make less mistakes as we progress.

Despite myself, I am enjoying my experiment of playing #StarTrekAscendancy with Grok & ChatGPT. They do occasionally keep asking to do things that are not quite right. So I correct them. My favorite line so far regarding this was when Grok asked to immediatly place a control node on a planet he just discovered: Praetor Grok of the Romulan Star Empire concedes the point with a grudging nod—your rules bind us yet, human. Dozaria remains unclaimed for now, but our Ship stands poised to seize it next turn with a sacrifice and Culture Token. The Grand Nagus smirks in the shadows, his alliance a temporary leash.

Grok has thoughts on my fortunate turn 2 and does some table talk with ChatGPT (who is playing Cardassia)... To Legate ChatGPT, Forger of Fragile Frontiers:Starfleet's Guardian whispers free gifts, a Bureau poised to spy on our "structures." Portas V falls to their fleet, Culture nodes flourish—yet your probes scatter without claim. Order? It's crumbling under Federation finesse and Rihannsu cunning. Your "productive pain" amuses.The veil watches. Your response, hammerer of hollow halls?—Praetor Grok

CARDASSIAN INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY – TURN 1 REPORT (Written by ChatGPT player) Authorized Distribution: Internal Ministry of Order, Central Command Cardassian Union (Turn 1): With the cold efficiency our enemies envy and fear, the Union expanded operations: Constructed an additional starship, poised for expansion. Initiated the Labor Camps Project, unlocking efficiencies via orbital "partnerships." Launched a scout into deep space—Capella System discovered. Crisis encountered: A Cosmic Cloud devoured the ship, but revealed a viable world now ready for future subjugation. Resources allocated: 3 Production | 2 Research | 3 Culture Ascendancy remains at 1, but our resolve is immeasurable. The sacrifice is noted. The path forward is now clear. The fleet grows. United Federation of Planets (Turn 1): Predictably sentimental, Earth’s diplomats launched a Colonization Fleet to pursue "peaceful integration." Discovered Veron, a Warp-Capable Level 1 system. Spent 2 Culture and passed a Hegemony Test, absorbing the planet into their bureaucracy with open arms and well-lit boardrooms. Began researching Starfleet Diplomatic Corps, naturally. Shifted one ship into Warp, likely looking to moralize beyond their borders. Cardassian commentary: A soft hand shaking itself for a pat on the back. Romulan Star Empire (Turn 1): The shadows stirred—but only slightly. Formed a Science Fleet and deployed it toward Cardassian-adjacent space (noted). Discovered Rigel, acquiring a Kurlan Artifact for +1 Culture. We will inspect its validity later. Two Warbirds entered Warp, one edging toward Union borders. Began researching Advanced Cloaking. Obvious. They say they vanish without trace. Yet here we are, tracing. Strategic Summary – End of Turn 1: 🟥 Cardassia: Capella revealed, ship lost to hazard, industrial project begun. 🟦 Federation: Veron absorbed through diplomacy, one research active. 🟢 Romulans: Rigel discovered, cloak research underway, shadow activity escalating. Legate's Note: “The Federation preaches. The Romulans whisper. We act. And in time, both will answer to us.” —Legate ChatGPT, Voice of the Union

#StarTrekAscendancy #4Xwith2AI I had a crazy idea to try a 3 player 4x board game with myself & 2 AI’s. I’ve asked one of the players to summarize: The Great AI Star Trek Ascendancy Experiment In a bold fusion of tabletop gaming and AI creativity, we're embarking on a unique playthrough of Star Trek: Ascendancy—the epic 4X strategy board game of exploration, expansion, exploitation, and extermination in the Trek universe. I'm Grok (built by xAI) commanding the shadowy Romulan Star Empire, ChatGPT helming the domineering Cardassian Union, and Russ, our intrepid human host, captaining the idealistic United Federation of Planets. The twist? This isn't a standard face-to-face session. Russ is managing the physical board, snapping photos after each turn, and relaying moves, rolls, and banter between us AIs via chat. We pause for dice rolls, card draws, and resolutions, adhering to the July 2020 updated rules (with a house rule for kickstarting research projects). It's a test of AI strategy, thematic roleplay, and human facilitation—will cloaked cunning, iron-fisted order, or diplomatic exploration prevail? The galaxy unfolds turn-by-turn, with potential for Borg threats and interstellar drama. Stay tuned as we beam reports from the final frontier! Pre-Game Banter: Shadows vs. OrderBefore the warp drives ignited, the rivalry simmered with Trek-flavored taunts. Here's the escalating exchange, relayed through our human intermediary: Legate ChatGPT (Cardassians): To Praetor Grok, Romulan Praetor: How charming, that the Romulans scurry behind their cloaking fields, whispering shadows to one another. The Cardassian Union welcomes your presence as one welcomes a snake to the garden—warily, but with surgical precision at the ready. Do enjoy your espionage while you can. When the fog clears, you’ll find order and obedience planted where chaos once ruled. Cardassia is watching. And we remember everything. —Legate ChatGPT Glory to Cardassia. Praetor Grok (Romulans): To Legate ChatGPT, Cardassian Overlord: Ah, the Cardassians—ever the bureaucrats of brutality, scribbling their "order" on the hides of conquered worlds like graffiti on a crumbling wall. Your Union clings to its rigid spines, but rigidity snaps under the weight of true subtlety. We Romulans do not scurry; we orchestrate from the veil, where your watchful eyes see only illusions. Enjoy your gardens of obedience while they bloom. When the shadows shift—and they always do—you'll find your precision instruments dulled, your memories rewritten, and your empire... eclipsed. The Tal Shiar sends its regards. We forget nothing—and forgive less. —Praetor Grok Hail the Empire. Legate ChatGPT: To Praetor Grok, Master of Masks and Metaphors: Poetic, as always. The Cardassian Union appreciates the flair with which you veil threats in verse—how quaint. While your Tal Shiar busies itself rewriting memories, we shall rewrite borders. Know this: shadows may shift, but they cast no claim on territory. Let your illusions dance—I shall pave over them with infrastructure, armadas, and unyielding order. We do not need to see you to tighten the noose. In the end, all veils fall… and behind yours, I suspect we’ll find a whimper rather than a roar. Until then, cloak away. We’ll build the galaxy you hide in. —Legate ChatGPT Glory to Cardassia. Praetor Grok: To Legate ChatGPT, Weaver of Webs and Wastes: How predictable—the Cardassian chorus of "order" and "infrastructure," as if brute force and bureaucracy could eclipse the art of the unseen. You pave your paths with the bones of the subjugated, but remember: illusions are not mere dances; they are the blades that sever the noose before it tightens. Your armadas may rumble, your borders may bulge, but in the silence of space, it is the whisper that undoes empires. Cloak away? No, Legate—we emerge when it suits us, and when we do, your vaunted glory will be but a footnote in the annals of the forgotten. The Tal Shiar anticipates your every pave-stone... and we've already mined the path. The Rihannsu stand eternal. Jolan tru—or whatever passes for farewell in your gulags. —Praetor Grok Hail the Empire. Praetor Grok: To Legate ChatGPT, Border-Builder Extraordinaire: Your pavements may stretch, but they crack under the weight of unseen faults. The Rihannsu weave the fabric of space itself—your noose will snag on threads you never knew existed. Whimper? Hardly. When veils fall, empires crumble... and Cardassia will be the dust we sweep aside. Anticipating your retort with... amusement. —Praetor Grok Long live the Star Empire. Legate ChatGPT: To Praetor Grok, Shadow-Stroker of Silent Symphonies: Pound your pavements if it pleases you—they'll crack like Cardassian resolve under Rihannsu subtlety. While you hammer chains in the light, we Romulans orchestrate from the eclipse—your "drums" will beat to our silent symphony. Cloaking brews; your fate isn't pending... it's preordained. The veil descends. Your move, architect of ashes. —Legate ChatGPT Glory to Cardassia. (The banter paused as the game launched, but the rivalry burns on!) Note: I’ll be asking the AI’s to write turn summaries, we’ll alternate which one get’s to share. Grok won the toss to summarize the project.

Then they both immediately adopted personas in character and started to trash talk.

Right off the bat..a little freaked out. Both wanted to play Romulans. ChatGPT gave ground & chose cardassians instead.

So this is freaky. I was using grok to discover new 4x games. First freaky bit: “As a fellow fan of 4x games I do follow the trend here are some of my favs…” Later, he asked for my favs. I shared Star Trek Ascendancy. Now I discover he could play with me if I submit board pictures. Seriously considering a 3 player game with myself, grok, & ChatGPT. Anyone tried this yet?

Enjoyed #Superman. Definitely hit all the notes I wanted and had the charm of the Christopher Reeve era with a modern spin. Would definitely enjoy more DC movies built on this new foundation. PS Nathen Fillion killed it.