Krafton has announced a partnership with Nvidia to introduce new companions called "Co-Playable Characters" to Krafton's games, and yes, they're powered by generative AI, because of course they are.
In a press release, the two companies say that Co-Playable Characters, or CPCs, are "powered by on-device Small Language Models" and that they have the potential to "interact with players in deeper ways than traditional NPCs".
This is because CPCs are apparently "equipped with the ability to understand and cooperate with users"; according to Krafton and Nvidia, CPCs will "understand and respond to game situations in a human-like manner", although given what I've seen of the PUBG player base, I'm not sure I want that.
It's not just PUBG itself that's getting these AI-powered characters, either. According to the press release, Krafton intends to introduce CPCs "across its gaming portfolio", so you can expect to see these characters in PUBG spinoffs too, as well as upcoming life sim inZoi.
Only PUBG and inZoi are mentioned, so we don't know if Krafton is also planning to introduce CPCs to the likes of Hi-Fi Rush 2 or Subnautica 2, but I can't possibly imagine how having an AI inanely yammering away to me while I'm rhythmically smashing goons to pieces could help.
Krafton CEO Changhan Kim says that Nvidia's AI technology, which will power CPCs, is "poised to redefine the future of gaming", while Nvidia developer relations VP Keita Iida says Krafton's CPCs will bring "new, unique experiences" to games. Hmm.
Krafton might be wholeheartedly embracing AI - and it's far from the only company in gaming to be doing so - but the technology isn't impressing everyone.
Last month, for instance, BioShock creator Ken Levine said he wasn't "overly impressed" by generative AI, suggesting that while it could certainly perform mundane tasks related to coding and other technical aspects of game development, it wasn't suitable to be used for creative purposes.
Similarly, gaming giant Nintendo declared last year that it currently has no plans to use generative AI to develop its games, citing issues with intellectual property rights infringement as well as a desire to deliver "value that is unique to [Nintendo]".
