Ultima Ratio Regum (video game)

Ultima Ratio Regum is a procedurally generated roguelike video game focused on philosophy, mathematics, and historical simulation. Developed by Mark Johnson, it aims to simulate a world at multiple levels of abstraction, from philosophical debates and scientific treatises to social structures and individual biographies, all within a historically plausible setting inspired by 17th-century Europe.

The core gameplay revolves around exploring a vast, generated world as a character with a specific philosophical inclination. Players engage with the world through dialogue, investigation, and, if necessary, combat. The game attempts to ground its systems in historical methods and intellectual currents, influencing how players solve problems and interact with non-player characters (NPCs).

A key feature of Ultima Ratio Regum is its commitment to procedural generation at multiple scales. This includes not just the map and environment, but also books, philosophical arguments, scientific theories, and even the personalities and relationships of the characters. The game's world is intended to evolve over time, with new ideas and social movements arising from the interactions of its inhabitants.

The game's title, Ultima Ratio Regum, is a Latin phrase meaning "the last argument of kings," often inscribed on cannons during the early modern period. This reflects the game's themes of conflict and the use of force, but also the importance of reason, debate, and intellectual persuasion as alternative methods of resolving disputes. The gameplay emphasis on philosophical systems and historical accuracy is distinct within the roguelike genre.