- Krafton introduces AI-powered CPCs to enhance gameplay through collaboration with NVIDIA.
- Players can interact with their AI companion “Ally” in real-time
- CPCs also coming to inZoi, expanding AI’s role in gaming
PUBG: Battlegrounds, one of the most popular shooter games is preparing to get the intriguing AI feature, mentioned by Krafton at CES 2025, revealing the collaboration with NVIDIA to introduce Co-playable characters (CPCs).
Revolutionizing Gameplay with AI
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) is sweeping into the gaming indurty, stirring debate over its use, as companies belive on its potential and ethical implications. Not everyone is in the favor as they fear that AI might take away their jobs if used unfairly.
In 2024 on July 26 actors went on strike against the use of AI and many big giants like Rockstar Games, Warner Bros and more got affected.
However, Krafton has some advanced plans, these CPCs, powered by AI are going to act as interactive teammates. Announced that:
“We plan to closely collaborate with NVIDIA to drive the transformation of the user experience with AI-powered innovation built with NVIDIA ACE, such as CPC, that’s poised to redefine the future of gaming.”
According to the company
“Unlike traditional NPCs (non-player characters), CPCs are equipped with the ability to interact and cooperate with users, as they understand and respond to game situations in a human-like manner.”
This Companion is named “Ally,” a Small Language Model (SLM)-powered companion built with Nvidia’s Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE) technology. Krafton aims to make it more than just a feature, they said:
“Players can converse and strategize with their AI-powered CPC companion just like they would a human teammate, greatly enhancing gameplay”
Ally won’t be like NPCs, gamers usually get to see in games, but more like a smart teammate. It will assist players in finding vehicles and lessen their struggle to look for their favorite guns and other resources, adding a realistic touch to the character.
So, players won’t have to ask their friends to go, search, and grab certain items. Moreover, they can communicate with CPCs, and exchange words with voiced dialogues.
AI Beyond PUBG: The World of inZoi
Krafton has plans not to keep this AI-powered addition only in PUBG, it is also brininging CPCs to its simulation game, inZoi. In this game AI will be role playing the citizens and will be interacting with each other and their enviroment.
The developer company is aware of AI-based technology and industry trends, shifting towards it just like other renowned names like EA, and Microsoft are investing extensively in generative AI. Vice President, of Developer Relations at NVIDIA, Keita Lida, mentioned;
“AI is transforming the way games are created and played. By bringing our innovative AI technology, such as NVIDIA ACE, to a range of their live games, KRAFTON is unlocking co-playable characters for new, unique experiences.”
While the timeline for the implementation remains under wraps, Krafton seems optimistic about this adaptation and achieving a significant milestone through it.
