ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Zero player game

A zero-player game is a type of game that doesn't need any players to play it. It's like playing a game all by itself! It's a bit like a puzzle that solves itself without any help from anyone. It might sound a little bit weird, but it's actually really interesting to watch!

Let's take an example of a zero-player game. A great one is the game of life. It might sound like you're playing a game with your friends, but actually, it's just some simple rules that control what happens. All you need is a starting point, which is usually a bunch of dots on a grid. Then, some simple rules come into play. The dots move around the grid, following the rules of the game. And before you know it, patterns and shapes start to emerge on the grid.

One of the cool things about zero-player games is that they are unpredictable. You might start with the same starting point every time, but because of all the different rules and things that happen, the end result is always different. The game keeps playing itself out, and you get to watch and see what happens.

In other words, a zero-player game is a game that doesn't need players to have fun! It's a game that plays itself out without any help from you. All you need to do is watch and see what happens. It might sound simple, but there's something really fascinating about watching a game unfold all by itself.
Related topics others have asked about: