Living a Thousand Lives: Why You Should Try a Text-Based Life Simulator

We often spend so much time obsessing over high-definition graphics and massive open worlds that we forget the power of simple text. Sometimes, the most chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly touching stories don’t come from a blockbuster RPG, but from a simple menu-based interface on your phone. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to become a famous pop star, a notorious criminal, or just a regular person trying to pay off a mortgage, you need to dive into the world of life simulators.

My personal favorite way to scratch this itch is via Bitlife. It’s a text-based life simulation game where every choice matters, and no two playthroughs are ever the same.

How It Works: The Basics of a Virtual Life

The premise is straightforward: you start as an infant. You are assigned a random name, a random country, and a random set of parents. From there, the only button you really have to press is the "Age Up" button. Every time you tap it, a year passes.

But the real magic happens in the menus between those years. As a toddler, your biggest worry might be whether to bite your brother or cry for milk. But as you age, the complexity explodes. You go to school, join cliques, study for driving tests, and eventually enter the workforce. The game tracks four main stats: Happiness, Health, Smarts, and Looks. Your goal isn’t necessarily to "win"—because everyone dies in the end—but to live the most interesting life possible before your time runs out.

You can choose to be a model citizen who studies hard, becomes a brain surgeon, and donates to charity. Or, you can ignore all the rules, drop out of school, and see how long you can survive a life of petty crime. The game throws random scenarios at you constantly. Will you try to rescue the dog you found on the street? Will you forgive your spouse for cheating? The text descriptions are often hilarious, adding a layer of dark humor to even the most tragic situations.

Tips for a Memorable Run

If you are jumping into Bitlife for the first time, don’t try to play "perfectly." Here are a few ways to make the experience more fun:

• Start Young: Build your stats early. If you want a high-paying job later, use the "Study Harder" option in school every single year. Join the library or the gym as soon as they become available.
• Take Risks: The "Activities" tab is where the chaos lives. Don’t be afraid to try the lottery, emigrate to a new country, or go clubbing. Sometimes the bad decisions make for the best stories.
• Watch Your Karma: While invisible, the game seems to reward generally good behavior. However, playing the villain can be entertaining too—just be prepared for prison riots and lonely holidays if you choose that path.
• Relationships Matter: Your happiness meter is heavily tied to your relationships. Call your parents, spend time with your friends, and don't ignore your kids. A lonely life in the game usually leads to depression, which affects everything else.

Conclusion

There is something strangely addictive about watching a tiny progress bar represent an entire human existence. Games like this remind us that life is just a series of choices—some smart, some silly, and some completely out of our control. Whether you end up as a centenarian billionaire or a destitute musician, the journey is always worth the click. Give it a try next time you have a spare ten minutes; you might just live a whole new life on your lunch break.