The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton

The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton
Animator(s)	Emil Macko
Editor(s)	Markiplier
Release date	March 7, 2021
Length	1:45
Link	The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton
Animation Guide
← previous "He Escaped..."	next → "The Story of How I Snuck Out of the House for LOVE"
Video Guide
← previous "I "Eat" Every Flavor of Takis"	next → "WHERE WE SHOULDN'T BE..."

"The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton" is a freemium interactive animated short designed by Emil Macko, and edited and voiced by Markiplier. It is a part of Markiplier's Big Ass Bake Sale event, which was funded by Mark's channel members.

Description

Wilford Warfstache, inspired by local pizzeria he frequented, has decided to build his very own animatronic to interview the entire world! He just needs some "willing" volunteers to test it...
Model/Art by ► https://twitter.com/Emilmacko

Edited/Voiced by ► Some Bozo

This lovely treat was baked up by the even lovelier Members of this channel. Become a member today for even more mini Choose Your Own Adventures!

Summary

The scene opens up with a seemingly defective animatronic sitting across the table from the viewer in a dark room with a dim light illuminating the center of the frame. Shortly after, the viewer is greeted with a pre-recorded message of Wilford Warfstache thanking them for agreeing to test out the Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton (W.A.I.A.) and asks to simply listen for any numbers that the puppet might give them.

As the W.A.I.A. is about to boot up, it starts glitching out and goes haywire, shaking uncontrollably and causing electrical interference with the lighting, before going back to normal. Once the recalibration process is complete, Warfstache asks which numbers did the viewer hear, reiterating that he's merely a recording and will not be able to receive the said information, but reassures them that nothing bad will happen, only to go back on his statement a moment later. He then asks one final time for the viewer to speak up, noting that whatever happens next is depended on their choices.

From this point, the viewer can interact with the video's end screen templates and pick their own path in an attempt to get the two good endings and survive the W.A.I.A. Choosing the wrong path will result in their demise and prompt the viewer with an option to start over.

Flowchart

"The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton"	"I think I heard numbers!"	"But you didn't say anything..."
		"Uh... potato salad?"	"He said... potato salad?"	"YES"
				"NO"
			"Yeah, I'm dead."
	"Sounded like nightmare garbage to me..."

Routes

Route	Summary
"Sounded like nightmare garbage to me..."	Saying any combination of the words "nightmare" and "garbage" triggers the W.A.I.A. to lunge itself at the viewer and kill them. Route: "The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton"
"I think I heard numbers!"	Warfstache assumes that the viewer is still alive and congratulates them for completing the first test, noting that the W.A.I.A. is functioning "well within acceptable murder parameters" and is one step closer to mass production. The second test starts with Word Association, where the viewer is required to give a response to the animatronic. After failing to solicit a response twice, the W.A.I.A .gradually becomes more aggressive, asking one final time for a response while counting down from five. Route: "The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton"
"But you didn't say anything..."	After counting down to one, the W.A.I.A. decides that the response was not clear and chooses to increase aggression against the viewer, killing them in the process. Route: "The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton" → "I think I heard numbers!"
"Uh... potato salad?"	After counting down to one, the W.A.I.A. decides to accept the response and concludes the Word Association training protocol. On the recording, Warfstache is heard leaving a condolence message to the victims' family members, asking them to avoid contacting him. Moments later, he addresses the survivors and congratulates them for passing his test, shortly before presenting them with yet another trial titled Synthetic Linguistics, where the viewer is required to pick out any incorrect words that W.A.I.A. might say. Once the protocol has been completed, the W.A.I.A. short circuits, as Warfstache's recording addresses the viewer, asking them if they've heard anything out of the ordinary. Route: "The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton" → "I think I heard numbers!"
"Yeah, I'm dead."	Warfstache flips a coin without calling the side beforehand. As it falls on its head, Warfstache decides that "head is dead," as the animatronic proceeds to lunge itself at the viewer, killing them. Route: "The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton" → "I think I heard numbers!" → "Uh... potato salad?"
"He said... potato salad?"	After completing the final protocol, Warfstache orders the W.A.I.A. to conduct a full-on interview with the viewer. The W.A.I.A. reboots and, after introducing the guest, proceeds to ask them a series of questions, such as "How many people have you killed," without receiving an answer. Before it can continue, the room's main light source cuts out and is instead illuminated by the W.A.I.A.'s electrical charge, which shifts the conversation to a monologue, referencing a series of events relating to Who Killed Markiplier?: "A man goes to a party. This man met an old friend. The two friends shared some wine. Their two friends played a game. The most dangerous game. I didn't know the gun was loaded. I didn't know." The W.A.I.A. finally concludes the segment with a question to the viewer; "Was it my fault?" Route: "The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton" → "I think I heard numbers!" → "Uh... potato salad?"
"YES"	The W.A.I.A. apologies for its actions to the viewer, stating that it does not remember its own identity, before resuming their original discussion and concluding the simulated interview. Warfstache's recording rejoices over the supposed success of his creation, stating that the animatronic's AI is modeled after his brain scan, and congratulates the viewer one final time for making it all the way till the end. Seeing as the testing has been completed, Warfstache assures the viewer that they'll be seeing more of the W.A.I.A. in the near future, before asking them to leave, noting that they'll be billed for any blood that they got on the animatronic. Route: "The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton" → "I think I heard numbers!" → "Uh... potato salad?" → "He said... potato salad?"
"NO"	The W.A.I.A. states to the viewer that they cannot change the past, ending on the line "If you live in fantasy forever, you'll lose yourself in the story," before resuming their original discussion and concluding the simulated interview. Warfstache's recording rejoices over the supposed success of his creation, stating that the animatronic's AI is modeled after his brain scan, and congratulates the viewer one final time for making it all the way till the end. Seeing as the testing has been completed, Warfstache assures the viewer that they'll be seeing more of the W.A.I.A. in the near future, before asking them to leave, noting that they'll be billed for any blood that they got on the animatronic. Route: "The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton" → "I think I heard numbers!" → "Uh... potato salad?" → "He said... potato salad?"

Trivia

• The video's concept and setting seem to have been inspired by Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator's Salvage Room.
• The audio samples used when the animatronic boots up are the sounds for dial-up Internet access and Windows XP error notification.
• The video was previously teased during "Jackbox n' Chill" livestream.