YORIMICHI PLAYLIST
HOW TO PLAY
Controls and goals
- How to operate
- Click the button on the screen. Adjust research allocation using +/- for each item and confirm with Commit allocation. Select the policy using Enact.
- Goal
- Manage the state of your country's research, society, and resources, and advance to the conclusion through 16 quarterly policy decisions.
ABOUT THE GAME
Review research and policy decisions every quarter
``Critical Window'' is a strategy game about competition between countries over AI development. We will choose the allocation of research resources and policies, and proceed through the 16 quarters until 2030 while monitoring the state of society and the movements of partner countries.
GAMEPLAY
After finalizing the allocation, proceed to policy selection
This is the screen after confirming research allocation with Commit allocation. Each card has a cost and effect, and you choose the policy to implement in Enact.
Actual play photography: Detour Playlist Editorial Department/Production: ChipMates
Allocate research to competency, safety, and dissemination
The research ability for each period will be divided into three categories. At the same time, we are thinking about developing skills, understanding safety, and disseminating it to society.
Select policy and reporting response
Select a policy card every quarter and respond to subsequent reports. Resources, public opinion, and the situation in the partner country play a role in the decision.
Trying again in a world with different uncertainties
You can choose a world setting with a different premise at the start. You can share conditions using the same seed, and review your decisions and results after completing the project.
PLAY NOTES
Play notes
- Required time and number of people
- The official guideline is 20 to 40 minutes per lap. It is available for one person in the US or China, and for two people who take turns using the same device.
- Language/Beginner
- English reading comprehension is required. If you select Start my first run from New run, you can start with the US/standard world settings. First, we will determine the allocation of the three types of research.
- Fees/Support environment
- Free browser version. The official FAQ lists it as a public Alpha. After loading for the first time, you can play the main game offline.
- Save
- Progress will be saved in the browser you are using.
Judgment for this term,
Connect to the next world.
The official work page and official web version were confirmed on September 20, 2026. The two published images were taken by the editorial department on the official web version. Sources: Critical Window official website, Official explanation of the creator, Official FAQ, Official credits
STREAMING INFO
Streaming and video uploads
There are no special conditions for video posting and live streaming in the official work description and FAQ, and distribution and monetization are unconfirmed. The music is "I Walk With Ghosts" by Scott Buckley, listed as CC BY 4.0 in the official credits. If you use audio, please also check the material conditions on the same page.
“Unconfirmed” does not mean streaming is prohibited. We have not confirmed an official policy for the general public.
READER COMMENTS
Comments on Critical Window
Share your thoughts after playing, or tell other readers what you recommend about the game.
All language editions share these comments. Comments are shown in their original language.
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