Eric Hal Schwartz, writing for TechRadar, recently experimented with a novel use of generative AI: asking ChatGPT to turn boring chores into games. The prompt was as simple as "Turn this into a game," followed by a description of the task. According to Schwartz, the AI invented rules, objectives, challenges, points, stories, and small rewards, transforming mundane routines into engaging activities.
The Lost Kingdom Cleanup
After dinner, Schwartz faced a kitchen full of dirty dishes, crumbs, and trash. He asked ChatGPT to turn the cleanup into a game. The AI devised "The Lost Kingdom Cleanup," with a prompt that began: "You are the Keeper of the Realm. Overnight, mischievous Clutter Goblins have scattered objects throughout the kingdom. Each dish returned to its proper place earns one gold coin. Every cleared surface reclaims a village. Complete the entire quest before the timer runs out and you earn the title Champion of the Realm."
Schwartz noted that while he might not have engaged with it alone, his young son was excited. Together, they quickly amassed "several dozen gold coins" and saved villages, rewarded with chocolate. "What surprised me was how quickly the game changed our focus," Schwartz wrote. "Instead of thinking about cleaning an entire kitchen, we were collecting coins, reclaiming villages, and racing against the clock." The work still got done, but the task felt completely different.
Operation Rocket Launch
The second test tackled a common parenting challenge: getting a child out the door in the morning. ChatGPT produced "Operation Rocket Launch," which turned the routine into a spacecraft launch. The AI described:
- Fuel Systems: Breakfast
- Space Suit Check: Getting dressed
- Navigation Check: Shoes and backpack
- Countdown: Time limit to complete all systems before launch
Schwartz reported that his son, though young, grasped the spaceship launch concept. "Preparing a space suit for launch went over much better than the usual effort to get dressed," he wrote. The routine remained the same, but the mood was excited, and the game made it a shared activity rather than a command.
Why It Works
Schwartz identified key elements that ChatGPT added: structure, story, and a clear sense of progress. These ingredients made familiar routines feel less repetitive. "The best part is that the prompt works on almost anything," he noted. "In a matter of seconds, ordinary tasks can be transformed into quests, missions, competitions, or adventures, even if you still have to do the work."
The article underscores the power of prompt engineering to reframe user perception and engagement, with potential applications far beyond household chores.
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