This indie game, Limerence, doesn't use gen-AI but instead relies on real people and creativity to deliver a branching narrative thriller about AI partners. CEO Jessica Saunders explains how they've maximised skills and partnered with other studios to make the game on a shoestring budget.

The game's main character, Kai, and even its fake AI app, are modelled using custom tools. The narrative explores how digital dependency impacts real-world relationships, with players interacting with a character's phone, mirroring the A Normal Lost Phone series.

For authentic content, Saunders reached out to friends and small businesses, using their real material in the game. This approach allowed for a voyeuristic experience, but with a human touch. Even voice recordings were done in a sound booth to maintain quality.

While not anti-AI, Saunders sees its limitations in creative fields, suggesting that for now, the human touch remains irreplaceable.

Limerence releases on PC on 29 October, with a free demo available now on Steam. The game serves as a reminder that creativity and collaboration can produce something truly unique, even without AI.