For me the difference is that the sims don’t even attempt to be… whatever LLMs are. Torturing something that is at most 20k lines of code IS different from torturing a model made of millions of nodes. I don’t think LLMs are conscious but I also won’t take the risk if they are or become. I have enough empathy for anything even closely resembling life to try and treat it with kindness.

They got out because they actually have a following they can count on. If they didn’t think they could survive being independent they would have closed as well. Luckily Tim knows how powerful their brand is and that they can just run a crowdfunder to get back on track.

Anyone reading this, go donate if you want to help a games company that is dedicated to art instead of profit. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doublefine/amnesia-fortnight-2026-indie-reboot