NPC’s conspiring the form of the world

10 march 2024

Roblox integrates previously non-verbal characters from its games with GPT-3 technology, transforming them into conversational NPCs. Suddenly, characters that players used to simply walk by without a second thought are now engaging in deep, meaningful conversations. Each NPC is equipped with a backstory, a purpose, and a context within their world. Before long, players find themselves immersed in conversations with these characters for extended periods.

Imagine if these NPCs could communicate with each other. What kind of game environment would emerge if NPCs started plotting together, reshaping the world of Roblox in unforeseen ways? Will this be an alien civilization where NPCs have asserted dominance?
Imagine a game that enters a state of rebellion each time you press a button, challenging you to regain control.

While the vision of NPCs with AI sophisticated enough to dynamically plot storylines without human input remains aspirational within the current state of video game technology, there have been significant strides toward more interactive and engaging NPC behavior.
Examples where games have utilized AI to enhance NPC interaction and contribute towards the game's storyline or world-building:

1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Radiant AI

Skyrim's Radiant AI system allows NPCs to make their own decisions based on their needs and the world around them. For example, NPCs can react to theft or violence, engage in conversations with each other, and perform tasks related to their roles in the world.

2. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor/War - Nemesis System

The Nemesis System is a standout example of NPCs with unique personalities and relationships that evolve based on player actions. Orc leaders can remember encounters with the player, bear grudges, rise in rank, or even become terrified of the player based on past defeats.

3. The Sims Series

While not a traditional narrative-driven game, The Sims series showcases AI-driven NPCs (Sims) that engage with each other based on a wide range of needs, desires, and relationships. Sims form friendships, rivalries, and families, pursue careers, and react to the changing environment around them, creating emergent stories driven by their interactions.

4. Facade

Facade was an interactive drama and one of the first games to attempt real-time AI storytelling. The game places the player in the role of a friend visiting a couple who are going through a difficult time in their marriage. The player's interactions with the couple influence the direction and outcome of the story. The game's AI interprets the player's typed responses to dynamically steer the narrative.

5. Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 features an expansive world with NPCs that live their lives according to schedules and react to both the player's actions and the world around them.

6. Alien: Isolation - The Alien AI

Alien: Isolation features a highly sophisticated AI for the alien that hunts the player. It uses a two-tiered AI system: one for directing the alien towards the player in a general sense (to ensure it's always a threat) and another for its moment-to-moment decisions (like investigating noises or sightings). This AI creates intense, unpredictable encounters.

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