Bitlife

🧬 Decision Trees and Statistical Determinism

BitLife (originally a mobile phenomenon) is a text-based decision engine. It gamifies the chaos of human existence through a series of random events and statistical checks. The player does not control a character in 3D space; they control choices. Every year, you press "Age Up," and the engine runs a simulation based on your current stats: Happiness, Health, Smarts, and Looks. These four variables act as modifiers for all future probability calculations.

The game is a "Sandbox of Consequence." Deciding to drop out of school saves money now but reduces your "Smarts" stat, statistically blocking you from high-paying careers (Doctor, Lawyer) and reducing lifetime earnings potential.

🧠 Probability Management

The strategic layer involves manipulating RNG:

• Risk Assessment: Committing a crime has a variable success rate based on hidden difficulty modifiers. Getting caught triggers a "Prison" sub-game, drastically altering the playthrough's trajectory.
• Compounding Gains: Going to the gym once does nothing. Going every year for 10 years maximizes the Health and Looks stats. The game rewards consistency over intensity.

🎮 Mechanics: The Career Ladder

Socio-economic simulation:

• Education: The gateway to wealth. University > Graduate School > High Income. This linear progression is the safest route.
• Fame: A high "Looks" stat can lead to modeling or acting. This creates a volatile income stream dependent on maintaining the Looks stat, which degrades with age (entropy).
• Heirlooms: Accumulating wealth allows you to pass it to your children (the next life), simulating generational wealth accumulation.

🏆 Life Hacks

1. Study Hard Early

In the school phase (ages 6-18), use the "Study Harder" option every year. This is free and guarantees high Smarts, which acts as a scholarship multiplier for university.

2. The Lottery Exploit

While statistically unlikely, buying 10 lottery tickets every year is a viable strategy in long playthroughs. The cost is negligible compared to the potential payout of $50M+.

🛡️ Narrative Design

Style:

• Emergent Storytelling: The game has no script. The story emerges from the intersection of random events (e.g., getting struck by lightning) and player agency.

❓ FAQ