GLM-5.1 at chat.z.ai is a hilarious overthinking procrastinator...

I asked it to code a simple 3D game and here are some of the funniest parts of its seemingly endless chain of thought and how it got itself tangled up in it along the way.

Every time it promised to start writing the actual code, it went ahead and started doing something completely different... 😂

1:

Let me write this now.

One concern:...

2:

Let me write the code now. I'll be thorough.

For the terrain height function that returns height at any (x, z) world position, I need to:...

3:

OK, let me write this all out now. I'll aim for a polished, complete experience.

Let me think about the fog too. I'll use exponential fog for atmospheric effect. The color should match the sky at the horizon.

Alright, here's my complete plan for the code structure:...

4:

Let me write this now. I'll be comprehensive but try to keep the code clean.

One more thing - I need to make sure the terrain normals are recomputed after displacing vertices, and that I use those normals for slope-based coloring. The order should be:...

5:

OK let me just write the code now. I've planned enough.

For the water, I want it to look nice. I'll use a MeshStandardMaterial with:...

6:

Let me finalize and write the code.

Actually, I realize I need to think about the terrain texture more carefully...

7:

OK, writing the code now for real.

One more consideration: the terrain mesh is going to be...

8:

Alright, here's the final code:

Let me also think about the fog and how it interacts with the sky. The fog color should match the horizon color of the sky for a seamless blend...

9:

OK, final plan. Let me write the code now.

Let me also think about the NPC models...

10:

OK I'm just going to write the full code now. Let me do it.

For the sky, I'll create a shader-based sky dome...

11:

OK, let me just write the code now. I'll aim for a warm afternoon sky.

For the water shader, I'll use:...

12:

Let me finalize and write the code.

One more thing: for the grass patches, I'll create...

13:

OK, I've planned enough. Let me write the complete code now. It's going to be long but well-structured.

Actually, I want to also add some rocks scattered around...

14:

OK, let me now write the complete code. I'll organize it into clear sections.

For the player controller, I need:...

15:

This should work well. Let me now write the full code.

I also want to add a sun (directional light) with shadows. But shadows on such a large terrain might be expensive. Let me skip shadows for performance and just use ambient + directional lighting.

Actually, let me add shadows but with a limited shadow camera frustum centered on the player. This way only nearby objects cast shadows, which is performant.

Hmm, implementing shadow following adds complexity. Let me skip shadows for now and focus on the visual quality of the terrain, water, and objects.

Alright, HERE IS THE FINAL CODE. Writing it now.

Let me be careful about a few things:...

16:

OK, let me write the code now. For real this time.

Let me think about the structure one more time:...

17:

Let me write it all now.

Actually, for trees, let me think about how to create them efficiently. I'll use two InstancedMeshes:...

18:

OK, I think I have everything figured out. Let me write the complete code now.

Let me also think about the buildings. I'll create simple stone houses:...

19:

Let me now write the actual code. I'll aim for about 500-600 lines of well-structured JavaScript.

One more consideration:...

20:

OK, starting to code now.

Actually, I realize that for a truly nice-looking terrain, I should use a custom shader...

21:

OK, writing the code now. For real.

Let me be practical about the code length. This is going to be a substantial file. I'll aim for clean, well-commented code that's organized into clear sections...

22:

OK this is getting really long. Let me just write the full code now in one go, keeping it organized but not over-commenting.

Let me think about a few more things:...

23:

OK, let me now write the complete code. I'll be thorough but efficient.

For NPC meshes, I'll create simple humanoid shapes. Let me use:...

24:

OK, let me write the complete code now. I'll add leg animation as a bonus.

Alright, I'm going to write the entire HTML file now. Let me be methodical and get everything right.

I just realized I need to be more careful about the water. The water plane should cover...

25:

OK, writing the complete code now:

Actually, let me think about the grass patches more carefully. I want them to look like small tufts of grass scattered on the terrain. Using InstancedMesh with a crossed-quad geometry:...

26:

OK, let me just write the code now. I've been overthinking this.

Here's my approach for the grass:...

27:

OK, I'm going to write the complete code now. No more deliberation.

Let me also think about the building placement. I want a small village in a flat area. I'll find a suitable location by sampling the terrain for a flat, above-water area...

28:

OK, let me now write the complete code. I'll keep building descriptions simple.

Let me think about one more thing: the NPC walking animation...

29:

OK, I'm going to write the complete code now. Let me organize it and write it all at once.

Actually, let me also think about the initial player position. I need to find a good spawn point that's above water and on relatively flat terrain...

30:

Let me also think about collision detection. For a simple open world, I don't need complex collision. The player just follows the terrain height. I won't implement collision with buildings or trees - the player can walk through them. This simplifies the code significantly.

Actually, let me at least prevent the player from walking through buildings. I'll add simple AABB collision for buildings. For trees, the player can walk through them (they're just visual).

Hmm, building collision adds complexity. Let me skip it and focus on the visual experience. The player can walk through everything except the terrain.

OK, WRITING THE CODE NOW.

Let me estimate the code length. This will probably be 600-800 lines of JavaScript plus HTML/CSS. That's a substantial single file but manageable.

Let me structure the code clearly with section headers.

One thing I want to make sure: the water looks good. Let me use a custom shader for the water with:...

31:

OK, let me write the complete code now. I'm going to do it in one shot.

Let me also decide on the NPC count...

32:

OK, I'm going to write the full code now. Let me be thorough and get it right.

One more consideration: I need to make sure the game loop is smooth. I'll use requestAnimationFrame with delta time capping (to prevent huge jumps when the tab is inactive):...

33:

Alright, here's the complete code. Let me write it.

Hmm, actually I realize I should also think about the tree placement more carefully...

34:

OK, I think I have everything figured out. Let me write the code now.

I also want to add some flowers scattered in the grass...

35:

OK, let me now write the COMPLETE code. No more planning.

Let me estimate the performance:...

36:

Let me write the code now.

Wait, one more thing about the water plane. I need to make sure it's at the correct Y level...

37:

OK, writing the code now. Final version.

Let me think about one more optimization: for the grass...

38:

OK, HERE IS THE CODE. Writing it now for real.

I need to be careful about the Three.js import. Let me use version 0.160.0 which is well-tested.

Actually, let me also add a minimap!...

39:

OK, I'm going to write the complete code now. Let me aim for a comprehensive, polished experience.

Let me also add NPC markers on the minimap...

40:

Let me write it all. This is going to be long but I'll keep it clean.

OK I need to stop planning and start writing. Let me do it.

Actually, I just thought of something...

41:

OK, writing the code now. For real. Final time.

I think I also want to add a slight ambient animation to make the world feel alive. Maybe:...

42:

OK, writing the code now. FINAL.

Actually, you know what, let me also add some particle effects. Small floating particles (dust motes, fireflies, etc.) would add a lot of atmosphere. I can...

43:

This is comprehensive. Let me write it.

Hmm, I realize the flowers might be too much. Let me skip flowers and focus on the core features. I can always add them later.

Actually, flowers are easy to add with InstancedMesh. Let me include them...

44:

OK, writing the code now. Let me go.

I'm going to structure the code as a series of function calls in order, with each function creating and adding its elements to the scene.

Let me also make sure the player starts at a good location. I'll find a flat area above water for the spawn point.

Here's the final approach for the player spawn:...

45:

OK let me write this. I'll write it as a continuous script.

For the sake of keeping the response manageable but complete, let me write efficient code without excessive comments, but with clear section headers.

Let me go.

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This time it started writing the actual code, but stopped generating in the middle of it for whatever reason, probably ran out of context window lol