Krafton, the developer behind PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, is rolling out an exciting new feature: the first-ever “co-playable character” AI partner. This innovative AI is designed to think, strategize, and behave like human players. Powered by Nvidia ACE technology, this AI companion can interact and communicate just like a real player would.
In recent years, the growth of artificial intelligence has rapidly increased. Historically, the term AI was often associated with video games, where it described non-playable characters (NPCs) that followed a specific set of movements and dialogues. Many horror games have utilized AI to craft eerie and lifelike adversaries, enhancing the sense of danger for players. Yet, none of these experiences have truly captured the essence of interacting with a real person, as AI can occasionally come off as awkward and unrealistic. Now, Nvidia is unveiling an innovative kind of AI companion.
Nvidia recently shared an exciting update on their blog, announcing the introduction of the first co-playable character AI partner for PUBG, driven by Nvidia ACE technology. This innovative feature enables players to join forces on the battlefield with a companion that can think on its feet and adjust to their strategies in real-time. The AI partner can help with a range of tasks, including looting PUBG drops and driving vehicles, all while following the players’ objectives. It utilizes a compact language model to mimic human-like decision-making.
PUBG’s First Co-Playable AI Character Gameplay Trailer
In the newly released trailer, the player interacts directly with their AI companion, requesting it to locate certain ammunition. The AI can also engage in conversation with the player, alerting them to enemy sightings and following any commands provided. Additionally, the Nvidia ACE technology will be featured in other titles, including Naraka: Bladepoint and inZOI.
The blog post highlights how this innovative technology is set to transform the landscape for video game developers, giving them the freedom to imagine games in fresh and exciting ways. Nvidia ACE could pave the way for a gameplay experience where player interactions are solely guided by their prompts and AI-generated replies, potentially broadening the spectrum of video game genres in the future. While AI in gaming has received its share of criticism, the potential impact of this groundbreaking technology on the industry is truly remarkable.
PUBG has evolved quite a bit over the years, and this latest feature might just give it a unique edge. Still, we’ll have to wait and see how beneficial it truly is for the players.