Raw Data
Advances the Chapter
Chapter requirements track collected Raw Data. Chapter 1 ends at 5,700 Raw Data.
First Run · Low Spoilers
How to Play FEED THE AI
Move your Finder through the dark, reveal and collect Data, upgrade your systems, unlock new Data types, choose AI Perks, and push through four Chapters toward one of three endings.
- Chapters
- 4
- Endings
- 3
- Skills
- 131
- AI Perks
- 24
- Achievements
- 20
The short version: find Data, clear it before time expires, spend the Cash it generates, then repeat with a stronger build.
4 Chapters · 3 Endings60 SEC GUIDE ↓
Six Steps · One Minute
FEED THE AI in 60 Seconds
The complete first-run loop, before any deeper systems or ending math.
- 01
Move the Finder
Reveal and reach Data targets in the dark.
- 02
Clear Data
Destroy or collect the targets before the round ends.
- 03
Collect Raw Data
This is the number that advances your Chapter.
- 04
Earn Cash
Raw Data also produces currency for upgrades.
- 05
Buy Skills
Spend Cash on the connected Skill Tree.
- 06
Choose AI Perks
Perks shape Karma and eventually your ending.
Repeat the loop, unlock stronger systems, and progress through Chapters 1–4.
Two Connected Loops
How the FEED THE AI Gameplay Loop Works
A short active round feeds a longer upgrade loop. Finishing an ending then starts the permanent progression loop.
Every Round
- 01Find Data
- 02Clear Targets
- 03Collect Raw Data
- 04Earn Cash
- 05Buy Skills
- 06Unlock Systems
Across Playthroughs
- 01Finish an Ending
- 02Unlock Prestige
- 03Start Stronger
- 04Choose Another Path
FEED THE AI Controls
The production data does not verify a universal movement key, so this guide does not guess WASD or Space.
- Move the Finder
- Follow the movement prompt shown by your current game build.
- Navigate menus
- Use the pointer / mouse.
- Buy an upgrade
- Select an available Skill Tree node.
- Choose an AI Perk
- Select one of the available three-way choices.
Why Is FEED THE AI So Dark?
Darkness and limited visibility are part of Finder gameplay. Light Range—and later Vision systems—change how much of the field you can reveal and control.
Early darkness is partly a progression mechanic, not automatically a display problem.
What Is the Finder?
Your main early-game tool for revealing, reaching and attacking Data targets. Damage changes hit strength, Attack Speed changes frequency, and Attack Range changes coverage.
The First Important Distinction
Raw Data vs Cash
Both numbers rise during play, but they solve different problems.
Cash
Buys Skills and Repairs
Cash comes from Raw Data multiplied by Data Price and earnings modifiers.
Raw Data × Data Price × modifiers = Cash
Common Beginner Mistake
“I upgraded Data Price. Why isn’t my Chapter progressing faster?”
Data Price increases Cash earned from Raw Data. It does not change the Chapter’s Raw Data requirement.
How Timed Rounds Work
Each session gives you a limited window to reveal and clear Data targets. At the end of a normal session, rewards and systems such as Karma are settled.
Round Time gives you more active time, but it is not automatically stronger than Damage or Attack Speed.
Decision Rule
More Cash does not directly mean more Chapter progress. More time does not help much if the Finder still cannot kill efficiently.
Combat vs Supply
Should You Buy Damage or More Data?
Watch what happens at the timer. That symptom tells you which half of the run needs investment.
Timer ends with targets alive
You are combat-limited
The Finder cannot process the current field.
- Finder Damage
- Finder Attack Speed
- Critical Hit / Range
You clear everything early
You are supply-limited
The Finder has unused time and output.
- Start Data
- Clusters
- Cluster Size
Do not keep buying more targets when you already cannot clear the current field.
Simulator Recommendation
Best First Upgrades
- 01Finder Damage
- 02Finder Attack Speed
- 03Round Time / Critical Hit
- 04Start Data
- 05Clusters
This is a general early-game recommendation, not a fixed upgrade order for every run.
Open the full Skill Tree Guide →Connected Upgrade System
How the Skill Tree Works
The tree converts Cash into stronger combat, supply, economy and automation.
01
Skills cost Cash
02
Skills have prerequisites
03
Some upgrades trigger Bugs
04
You do not need to max the tree
Exact Game Rule
Chapter progression is based on Raw Data, not Skill Tree completion.
What Are Bugs?
Some upgrades trigger penalties or special follow-up nodes. For example, Finder Damage Lv.3 causes an Attack Range penalty.
Bugs are part of progression. Some can be repaired; later Chapters also contain intentional, unfixable AI Evolution nodes.
Good to Know
A Bug does not mean the save is broken or that you chose the wrong route.
See the Chapter 1 Bug route →Four Progression Gates
How FEED THE AI Chapters Work
Each Chapter opens at a verified Raw Data threshold. Its tree can remain unfinished.
- 01
Chapter 1
5,700 Raw Data
Core Finder progression
- 02
Chapter 2
135,000 Raw Data
New corporate systems
- 03
Chapter 3
3.55M Raw Data
Advanced autonomous systems
- 04
Chapter 4
43.5M Raw Data
Late-game AI progression
You can move on without maxing the current Skill Tree.
Open the complete Walkthrough →Choices Without an Early Lock-In
What Are AI Perks and Karma?
AI Perks are periodic three-way choices. They change gameplay effects and move stored Karma.
Tyrant
Moves Karma negative
Rational
Pulls Karma toward 0
Protector
Moves Karma positive
Your first Perk does not permanently lock your ending. You can change direction later.
Rational actively moves Karma
Current +50 → Rational pull 15 → +35
It does not mean “no Karma change.”
How Karma affects the ending
Negative, middle and positive ranges lead to different endings. Reveal the exact numbers only when you want them.
Tyrant
Negative range
Rational
Middle range
Protector
Positive range
After the First Ending
What Happens After You Beat FEED THE AI?
01
Finish an ending
02
Unlock its Prestige
03
Start another run
04
Use permanent bonuses
Rational, Protector and Tyrant each unlock a different permanent package.
Open the Prestige Guide →Game Type & Length
Is FEED THE AI an Idle Game?
The upgrade structure is incremental, but the opening hours ask for active control and decisions.
Incremental
Yes
Idle-only
No
Active gameplay
Yes
Automation
Increases later
Is it a clicker?
It has incremental progression, but the core gameplay is not simply repeated clicking for currency.
How long is FEED THE AI?
Expect a few hours for an initial full run. All endings, Prestige runs, full Skill Tree completion and 20 achievements take longer and vary by build and playstyle.
First-Run Troubleshooting
7 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
These are misunderstandings—not secret optimal-play rules. Fixing them makes the first run much smoother.
- 01
Confusing Cash with Raw Data
Raw Data advances Chapters; Cash buys upgrades and repairs.
- 02
Adding supply before you can clear it
More targets do not help while the current field survives the timer.
- 03
Treating every Bug as a failed run
Bugs are part of progression. Several can be repaired.
- 04
Maxing every tree before moving on
Chapter unlocks use Raw Data—not Skill Tree completion.
- 05
Thinking the first Perk locks an ending
You can change direction as more Perk rows become available.
- 06
Treating Rational as no Karma change
Rational actively pulls stored Karma toward zero.
Do
- Build Finder Damage early
- Watch what limits the run
- Track Raw Data for progress
- Repair cheap early Bugs
- Learn what each Perk does
Don’t
- Max everything before advancing
- Assume more spawn is always better
- Confuse Cash with Raw Data
- Panic over the first Karma choice
First-Run Helper
What Should I Do Next?
Choose the symptom you see. The answer follows the same combat-versus-supply rule used throughout the game.
Your Next Move
You’re combat-limited.
- 01Buy Finder Damage
- 02Add Finder Attack Speed
- 03Avoid increasing supply yet
More targets will not help while the current field survives the timer.
Next Chapter goal
5,700 Raw Data
Open Chapter 1 Walkthrough →Eight Quick Answers
FEED THE AI Beginner FAQ
Short answers to the questions most likely to block a first session.
What type of game is FEED THE AI?
FEED THE AI is an active incremental game built around timed rounds, upgrades, automation and repeat playthroughs.
Is FEED THE AI idle?
Not purely. Early progression requires active Finder control, round management and upgrade decisions. Automation increases later.
Is FEED THE AI a clicker?
Not in the traditional clicker-only sense. It uses incremental progression, but the core loop is not repeated clicking for currency.
How many Chapters are there?
Four Chapters lead to one of three endings.
Do I need to max the Skill Tree?
No. Normal Chapter progression is based on its Raw Data threshold.
What is the difference between Data and Cash?
Raw Data advances Chapters. Cash is generated from Data and buys Skill Tree upgrades or repairs.
Can I change my ending later?
Yes. Early Perks do not permanently lock an ending; stored Karma is checked when the final Chapter completes.
The Tutorial Ends Here
Ready to Start Your First Run?
Use the Chapter 1 route for the exact opening order, three early Bugs and the 5,700 Raw Data checkpoint.
Learn AI Perks & Karma →