GODMODE EPOCHS

Godmode Epochs
2024
Multiplayer video game
Link to play

Music: Hero Image
Supported by: The Alan Turing Institute, Serpentine

Exhibited: WSA (NYC), Singapore Art Museum

Godmode Epochs is a multiplayer AI training clicker game set in an infinite, simulated supermarket. Players race against time to train an AI to identify products. As players inevitably frustrate the AI, they must indulge in its memories - historical examples of other reward hacking and cheating by other AI agents - in order to release frustration, obtain upgrades for the AI and complete the training.

The game simulates how AI trained on synthetic data comes to understand the world by asking players to assist an AI in the process, and it eventually develops into an exploration of unaligned AIs, retelling the stories of agents that found creative, uncanny ways to complete their training tasks. In a reciprocal training programme, players train AI to understand the world and the game trains players to understand AI.

2025 (group show): Rhizome World
WSA, New York City; OS2.4
SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM, Singapore
2024 (award): S+T+ARTS nomination
ARS ELECTRONICA
2023 (group show): Directory
THE WRONG BIENNALE, Alicante
(talk): Godmode Epochs
SERPENTINE, Twitch; AI UK 2023
QEII CENTRE, London

Godmode Epochs
2024
Multiplayer video game
Link to play
Music: Hero Image
Supported by: The Alan Turing Institute, Serpentine
Exhibited: WSA (NYC), Singapore Art Museum

Godmode Epochs is a multiplayer AI training clicker game set in an infinite, simulated supermarket. Players race against time to train an AI to identify products. As players inevitably frustrate the AI, they must indulge in its memories - historical examples of other reward hacking and cheating by other AI agents - in order to release frustration, obtain upgrades for the AI and complete the training.
The game simulates how AI trained on synthetic data comes to understand the world by asking players to assist an AI in the process, and it eventually develops into an exploration of unaligned AIs, retelling the stories of agents that found creative, uncanny ways to complete their training tasks. In a reciprocal training programme, players train AI to understand the world and the game trains players to understand AI.

Download text CV here

London−based artist duo dmstfctn explores complex systems through the lenses of simulation, fiction and experience. Their immersive performances, video installations and video games demystify systems by replicating and exploring them together with audiences, and remystify them by building new stories and worlds atop them.

Download text CV here

now (talk): ars electronica
POSTCITY, Linz
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
(group show): EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL
Edinburgh
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................; authenticity unmasked
EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL, Edinburgh
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................; Algorithms of Freedom
ADAPTER, Budapest
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................; Bits & Bots
CENTRO DE HISTORIAS, Zaragoza
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
(writing): Future Art Ecosystems 5
SERPENTINE, London
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2025 (group show): Rhizome World
WSA, New York City; OS2.4
SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM, Singapore; ELAP 2025
NUNNERY GALLERY, London
(solo show): The Models
TECNOPOLO, Bologna
(panel): AI, Creativity and Ethics
V&A, London; New Metabolism
GLUON, Brussels
(writing): Investigating Decentralized Action in Art
LECTURIS
(news): dmstfctn & Lawrence Lek
Digital Deal podcast; dmstfctn ^× Lawrence Lek
DIGITAL DEAL PODCAST; What happens when AI lies?
DOMUS; Prompting as creative writing
MANGROVIA
2024 (live AV): Futur.Shock
FOLD, London; Waluigi's Purgatory
SERPENTINE^×HQI, London; ROMA EUROPA FESTIVAL
MATTATOIO, Rome; ROBOT FESTIVAL
SAN BARBAZIANO, Bologna; CRYPTIDS with Günseli Yalcinkaya
SONAR+D, Barcelona; GOD MODE (ep. 1)
SYSTEM, Shanghai; INDEX Biennial
GNRATION, Braga; Waluigi's Purgatory
MEET, Milan; SMART LIFE FESTIVAL
TEATRO S. CARLO, Modena; GOD MODE (ep. 1)
MUDAERUK, Seoul
(group show): Waluigi's Purgatory
ARE YOU FOR REAL; Decentralized Futures
ETOPIA, Zaragoza; Decentralized Futures
KOELHUIS, Eindhoven
(screening): NOINDEX: is nothing forever?
ICA, London
(award): S+T+ARTS nomination
ARS ELECTRONICA; SOLO AI AWARD
GOLDSMITHS, London
(news): what happens when an AI cheats?
DAZED; Kill the Luigi in your head
NERO; dmstfctn & Evita Manji
COEVAL MAGAZINE; conversation with evita & dmstfctn
T–MAG; In conversation with Evita Manji & dmstfctn
T-MAG; Networked Worlds
WEPRESENT
(fellowship): European Digital Deal
LEONARDO SUPERCOMPUTER, Bologna
(talk): bodystacked
LCF, London
2023 (group show): Directory
THE WRONG BIENNALE, Alicante
(live AV): Semibreve
THEATRO CIRCO, Braga
(talk): Autonomous Worlds day
Istanbul; Beyond Cultures of Ownership
SOMERSET HOUSE, London; Godmode Epochs
SERPENTINE, Twitch; dmstfctn plays Godmode Epochs
SERPENTINE, Twitch; AI UK 2023
QEII CENTRE, London
(award): EDIGMA SEMIBREVE AWARD
Braga
(writing): Large Lore Models
0XPARC; Large Lore Models
0XPARC
(game): Godmode Epochs
STEAM
(residency): ARTECHO
ETOPIA, Zaragoza
(news): Turret Theory
SERPENTINE; Public Engagement Grant
THE ALAN TURING INSTITUTE, London; dmstfctn investigates contemporary environments
CLOT; how to train ai?
ARTRIBUNE
2022 (live AV): GOD MODE (ep. 1)
SERPENTINE, London; IMPAKT FESTIVAL
HET HUIS, Utrecht; UNSOUND BUBBLES
Kraków; GOD MODE (ep. 1)
HQI, London
(news): Artist conversation with dmstfctn
IMPAKT TV
2021 (book): ECHO FX
KRISIS PUBLISHING; Ø
FLATLINE PRESS/HYPERDUB
(screening): INTERFACE CHAOS ^ft SKY H1
CAFE OTO, London
(group show): NONPLUSULTRABLACK
SYNNIKA, Frankfurt
(news): Demystification Committee debuts echo fx
AQNB; ECHO FX
SLEEK; REALITY CHECK AHEAD
CLOT
2020 (live AV): CTM ^× TRANSMEDIALE
BERGHAIN, Berlin
(solo): OFFSHORE MATTERS
AKSIOMA, Ljubljana
(screening): INTERFACE CHAOS
FORUM STADTPARK, Graz
(talk): Moneylab #8
AKSIOMA
(news): INTERFACE CHAOS ^ft SKY H1
NERO; CHASING ILLICIT MONEY
NEW YORK TIMES; Tax Havens: Normalized Grand Theft
WE MAKE MONEY NOT ART
2019 (live AV): DESIGNING TIME
DESIGN MUSEUM, London
(solo): NETWORK ENSEMBLE
GLUQBAR, Milan
(group show): A SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS
C-MINE, Genk; A SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS
Z33, Hasselt; PORTO DESIGN BIENNALE
TRINDADE, Porto; A SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS
LUMA, Arles
(screening): Ø.29
CORSICA STUDIOS, London; PORTO DESIGN BIENNALE
CAMPO 24 DE AGOSTO, Porto; INTERFACE CHAOS
TRUST, Berlin; INTERFACE CHAOS
EVENING CLASS, London
(music): Flash Demons
MILLE PLATEAUX
2018 (live AV): transmediale face value
HKW, Berlin; Borderline Festival
ONASSIS, Athens; Borderline Festival
ONASSIS STEGI, Athens; Radical Networks
SPEKTRUM, Berlin
(group show): 4^th Design Biennial
ARTER, Istanbul; 4^th Istanbul Design BIENNIAL
ARTER, Istanbul; transmediale face value
HKW, Berlin; Situation #111
FOTOMUSEUM, Winterthur
(talk): Automated Lands
NEW INSTITUTE, Rotterdam; Automated Landscapes
HET NIEUWE INSTITUUT, Rotterdam; transmediale face value
HKW, Berlin; IMPAKT Festival
HET HUIS, Utrecht; MoneyLab #4
SOMERSET HOUSE, London; Alt-Age
DESIGN MUSEUM, London
(writing): A DAY IN THE LIFE OF
SCHLOSS-POST; The Offshore Economist
Rizosfera
(news): What Audre Lorde's Language of Self Care Can Teach
FRIEZE; Happy tax haven to all
NERO
2017 (talk): the influencers
CCCB, Barcelona
(residency): Vilem Flusser Residency
TRANSMEDIALE, Berlin
(music): SELECTED NETWORK STUDIES
NUKFM

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