Nonplayer characters (NPCs) in video games may soon be driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and potentially exist eternally across various games on the blockchain. Animoca Brands' co-founder, Yat Siu, predicts that while achieving this feat may take years, players can expect to witness the initial signs of this technology as early as 2024.
Siu envisions games tailoring experiences around interacting with NPCs, with AI agents capable of acting on behalf of players. Open-source projects have already experimented with game mods that enable players to engage with NPCs using generative AI platforms, allowing characters to respond and exhibit facial expressions based on player inputs.
Major players in the tech industry are also exploring AI for NPCs. NVIDIA's ACE for Games tool, launched in May, aims to empower game developers to integrate intelligence into NPCs through AI natural language processing. Microsoft, in collaboration with Inworld AI, introduced a developer toolset enabling the creation of dynamically-generated stories, quests, and dialogue in video games.
Siu references a Stanford University study conducted in April, where AI agents exhibited human-like behaviors in a virtual town, engaging in parties and seemingly meaningful conversations. Despite these advancements, most AAA game NPCs still rely on traditional voice acting and scripted dialogue.
For a blockchain-based NPC AI to thrive, Siu emphasizes the need for sustainability and the ability to cover its own expenses, particularly in terms of data. Gabby Dizon, co-founder of Yield Guild Games, highlights the integration of Ethereum's ERC-6551 token standard by Web3 game developers to incorporate AI into games. Players can instruct in-game AI to automate repetitive tasks, revolutionizing the gaming experience by allowing AI to handle activities such as crafting and item collection required for leveling up.
Dizon foresees a new game genre emerging, where players interact with AI without having to actively play the game throughout the day. By setting parameters, players can let AI navigate and execute tasks within the game world, marking a significant shift in the gaming landscape toward increased AI involvement.
