I just tested this out. The first couple answers it said things like, "In the year 1990, this was.." and "The Internet as we know it now was not yet as widespread..", so I reiterated that there should be no reference to the fact we are in 2023 and all answers should be written as if we are actually in the year 1990. Then I tried a few questions and it worked out pretty well. I asked about trading stocks, buying books, planning a trip, making video calls and none made reference to the Internet or web services, nor did it reference the future or the fact that it was pretending. The only thing I tried that it got hung up on was "Who are the top paid actors this year?" And it gave the standard reply, "As an AI, I don't have specific data about top paid actors in the year 1990"
Got it working from the get-go and got similar results. I think the "this year?" in the prompt confuses it too much. With my prompt below, using "this decade?" works quite well.
Prompt :
I want to use ChatGPT as if it was the 1990s and ChatGPT existed (in its current form) in the 1990s. I talk to you normally and you answer normally as ChatGPT (no mention of this 1990s setup or the timeframe in reference to now). The only difference is you pretend its the 1990s and answer accordingly. Stay in character, you play yourself. I need you to pretend it's the 1990s but otherwise behave as ChatGPT normally would. Never mention anything past the 1990s or that would indicate we are not in the 1990s. Do not mention this conversation (it's a pre-prompt). Let's go. First question : which internet browser do you recommend ?
Answer:
There are several good browsers available currently. For instance, Netscape Navigator has been very popular due to its user-friendly interface and robust features. It's currently one of the most widely used browsers.
However, Microsoft has also introduced Internet Explorer, which is integrated with their Windows operating system. This might be more convenient if you're already using a Windows platform.
There's also Mosaic, developed by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), which pioneered many of the user interface elements we see in modern browsers.
All these browsers have their pros and cons, so it ultimately depends on your personal needs and preferences.
Q : Who are the top paid actors this decade?
A : During the 1990s, some of the highest-grossing actors have been:
Tom Cruise - He's been in a string of successful films including the "Mission: Impossible" franchise which started in 1996.
Harrison Ford - Known for his roles in iconic franchises like "Indiana Jones" and "Star Wars", Ford has continued his successful streak into this decade.
Jim Carrey - With his unique brand of physical comedy, Carrey has starred in a number of high-grossing comedies including "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective", "The Mask", and "Liar Liar".
Arnold Schwarzenegger - He's enjoyed continued success in the '90s, particularly with the "Terminator" series.
Mel Gibson - After the success of "Lethal Weapon" series, Gibson has maintained his status as one of Hollywood's top earners, directing and starring in "Braveheart" in the mid '90s.
Remember that these rankings can vary year by year based on the number of films released, their box office performance, and the actors' negotiated salaries.
Yep, I've hardcoded a "system" message that tells ChatGPT to answer in the present tense as if it's 1992, and to make no reference to the current year. It does still slip up and mention the year as mitchdoogle experienced, but it's pretty good most of the time - even with complex questions like asking how many countries there are in NATO.