gaming
Inworld AI: 99% of gamers are excited by the potential of smart NPCs powered by advanced artificial intelligence
With progress in generative AI heralding new potential for multiple industries, a new report from Inworld AI finds that the majority of gamers crave more personality from NPCs in video games
SAN FRANCISCO /PRNewswire/ — Inworld AI, a developer platform for advanced NPC behavior and dialogue, today released the findings of its new report ‘Gamer Attitudes to NPCs.’ In the first study of its kind, the report surveyed over 1,000 gamers in the US aged 16-50 and found high levels of excitement about the potential of AI in video games. Specifically, there was an overwhelming consensus that recent advancements in AI could change the face of gaming and usher in a new era of immersion and interaction with NPCs (non-playable characters) with individual personalities and the ability to converse unscripted voice-to-voice with the help of ChatGPT-like language models and multimodal behavior and perception systems.
The report found that:
● 84% of gamers agree that current NPCs make a positive difference to gameplay
● Over half (52%) dislike repetitive NPC dialogue
● 76% want to see NPCs with better situational awareness
● 78% would spend more time playing games with advanced AI NPCs
● 81% would be willing to pay more for a game with advanced AI NPCs
A long time (not) coming
NPCs have been a part of video gaming from as far back as the 1970s. Despite significant technological advancements in motion capture, graphics rendering, animation, and modeling, the technology that powers the behavior of NPCs has remained stagnant. In other words, NPCs have not developed personalities of their own or the ability to respond to players unscripted. This is despite the fact that the report found that 84% of players today believe NPCs are a crucial addition to gameplay, with an important role in building immersive stories and worlds.
Meaningful interaction promotes excitement and loyalty…
The report highlighted the importance of narratives and storylines to the majority of players. Meaningful interactions with NPCs were heavily sought after, with only 9% of players dismissing or avoiding NPCs during gameplay altogether. A large minority (40%) even admitted to talking to as many NPCs as possible to unlock more story content. Equally, 91% interacted with NPCs on some level and 78% said they would spend more time playing a game with ‘intelligent’ NPCs.
Kylan Gibbs, Co-Founder and CPO Inworld AI said: “ Humans are storytellers. We’re drawn to narratives that help us to make sense of the world around us. The same thing is true in the gaming world – the more immersive and believable a story is, the more we want to stay inside it. So it’s really no surprise that so many gamers want to unlock deeper stories through these NPC interactions.”
…and poor quality promotes frustration and derision
While trolling is most prevalent among younger gamers (39% of 16-24 year olds troll NPCs), across all age groups, it was apparent that gamers willingly and regularly watch NPCs doing ‘stupid’ things – particularly when the characters were two-dimensional and poor quality. The typical NPC characteristics that were most disliked by players were: repetitive dialogue, walking in circles, and inability to adapt to changes in games (disliked by 52%, 33% and 30% of players respectively.) Other traits such as awkward movements and lack of variation also contributed to their disconnect from NPCs.
A missed opportunity for artificial intelligence
Despite these frustrations however, only a tiny minority (5%) view current NPCs as pointless. “Gamers care deeply about NPCs,” continued Kylan. “They have a huge impact on gameplay but gamers are frustrated with the fact that they haven’t evolved. With advanced AI NPCs, there’s an opportunity for games to give players more of the immersive and realistic interactions with NPCs that gamers want.”
A large majority (76%) want better situational awareness from NPCs, and 60% would like to see more interactive dialogue and a sense of humor. Understanding these requirements and being able to cater to them proved to be an appealing concept for almost all gamers surveyed. The report noted that 79% of respondents said they were excited by the promise of AI NPCs, with 88% believing they would make a game more immersive. This is in tandem with 99% believing the inclusion of advanced AI NPCs would positively impact gameplay, and 81% willing to pay for the experience.
Florin Radu, Head of Partnerships, concluded: “Advances in AI have real potential to bring NPCs to life and revolutionize the way gamers interact with them. At Inworld, we’re leveraging this technology to make NPCs smarter and more interactive, so as to enrich game narratives and make gameplay more immersive. It’s little surprise that gamers are excited by the possibility of having a unique experience with NPCs every time they play – and it’s precisely this excitement that we think will result in many more developers including advanced AI NPCs in their games in the near future.“
Gamer Attitudes to NPCs 2023 can be downloaded here https://inworld.ai/whitepapers/future-of-npcs
Notes to editors:
A survey of 1,002 US gamers aged 16-50 was conducted during the months of October and November 2022 by Bryter Research on behalf of Inworld AI, using an online questionnaire. Participants were randomly selected from a panel of online gamers. The study aimed to examine gaming behavior and attitudes to NPCs within the given age range.
Qualitative data examples:
“I think they’re an important part of world-building. I always make an effort to talk to every NPC I can. They can offer tips, give side quests, have items for sale, can be entertaining, and help present the lore of a game or series.” – Female, 28 years old
“I like that you can really interact and get real-time responses to your questions and interactions. This would really add depth and richness to games.” – Female, 38 years old
“I love playing RPGs and MMORPGs, but prefer player-versus-environment to player-versus-player and enjoy interacting with NPCs more than random players. Advanced AI NPCs would definitely make me more emotionally attached to RPGs and would make them more enjoyable!” – Female, 50 years old
“As a hobbyist game dev, I like the concept of advanced AI NPCs a lot. The interactive elements of this are pretty amazing, and this could completely change how NPCs are created. Open Worlds/ MMOs and even Roguelikes would greatly benefit from this.” – Male, 37 years old
“I like that the dialogue is not scripted. Advanced AI NPCs are more like real characters and react to the world around them. I would love to be able to interact with an AI version of Lamar from GTA 5. I think he would have some hilarious and witty responses to whatever questions I asked.” – Male, 24 years old
“NPCs can either make or break a game by adding or detracting from the game’s immersion and believability. When I play, I literally insert myself into my character’s world and make decisions based on what my character would think about situations, places, and the people they meet–including NPCs.” – Non-binary, 23 years old
“Fallout 4 is a great game but the dialog options for companion characters were terrible and repetitive.” – Male, 44 years old
“Animal Crossing lacks diverse dialog options and leaves the game boring and dull with each character archetype.” – Male, 22 years old
“I like to take their money and chase them. Usually they run and I catch up to them and beat them up and take their money. This adds to the fun of Grand Theft Auto.” – Male, 27 years old
About Inworld AI
Inworld is a developer platform for adding advanced NPC behavior and dialogue to games and real-time experiences. We use over 20 AI models to create lifelike, engaging, and expressive characters that mimic the dynamic nature of human interaction.
Inworld is run by a team of experts and pioneers in the fields of conversational AI, generative models, and the gaming and entertainment industry. Inworld’s founders previously launched API.AI, renamed Dialogflow after being acquired by Google. Inworld’s Chief Creative Officer, Academy Award-winner John Gaeta, also brings decades of experience from the gaming and entertainment industry through his work on the Matrix movies, his role in founding Lucasfilm’s Immersive Entertainment Division, and as Executive Creative Producer on Epic Games’ The Matrix Awakens.
Inworld’s team of engineers, designers, inventors, creatives, scientists, and technologists are building the tech that will revolutionize NPCs.
SOURCE Inworld AI
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Entertainment
Smart Gaming: How Parents Can Keep Kids Safe Online
Parents can enhance kids’ safety during online gaming by using privacy settings, researching games, enabling age checks, keeping personal information private, and utilizing parental controls and security tools.
Last Updated on January 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Smart Gaming: How Parents Can Keep Kids Safe Online
(Family Features) Playing video games can be a fun, social experience. However, online gaming also poses real risks, especially for kids. As a parent, you don’t necessarily need to be a gamer yourself to help keep your children safe when the controller is in their hands.
Consider taking proactive steps like these to create a healthy online gaming environment for kids of all ages.
Check System Privacy Settings
As a first line of defense – before your child even starts gaming – spend some time in the device or console privacy settings. Here you can turn off sharing, disable location tracking, limit microphone and camera access and restrict how other users can interact with your child’s profile. Similarly, many games and platforms include built-in privacy settings that can be tailored to your child’s age and online experience. These settings may allow you to limit who can view your child’s profile or send a friend request, message or voice chat.
Research Games
Because not all games are created equal, look up game ratings through a service such as ESRB before buying or downloading to understand the maturity level of the game and determine if it’s appropriate for your child. To take it a step further, read reviews from other parents or watch gameplay videos to see if you deem not only the content but also the social interaction acceptable.
Use Facial Age Estimation
Online platforms are increasingly looking for ways to keep users safe, and that includes added levels of verification. As part of a multilayered approach to safety, Roblox is the first online gaming platform to require age checks for users of all ages to access chat features, enabling age-appropriate communication and limiting conversations between adults and minors. These secure age checks are designed to be fast, easy and secure using Facial Age Estimation technology directly within the app.
“Our commitment to safety is rooted in delivering the highest level of protection for our users,” said Matt Kaufman, chief safety officer at Roblox. “By building proactive, age-based barriers, we can empower users to create and connect in ways that are both safe and appropriate.”
Once age-checked, users are assigned to one of six age groups: under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20 or 21 and older, ensuring conversations are safe and age appropriate. Age checks are optional; however, features like chat will not be accessible unless an age check is completed. Chat is also turned off by default for children under age 9, unless a parent provides consent after an age check.
Keep Personal Information Private
It’s seldom a bad idea to be extra cautious when interacting with strangers online, even if they seem friendly enough while playing the game. Teach children what information not to share, including their full name, address, birthday, school name, phone number, email address, passwords or any photos that may contain any personal information (like a house number or school logo) in the background. Also encourage a screen name and generic avatar for added privacy.
Turn on Parental Controls
Designed to allow parents a supervisory role in their child’s online gaming experience, parental controls on many platforms include the ability to set schedules and limit playtime, restrict access to certain content or social features, require a password for purchases or set a spending limit.
Avoid Clicking Unfamiliar Links
Player profiles and in-game chats may include links to external sites, including those promising rewards or cheat codes. Because they can be used to gain access to personal information, remind your children to ask an adult before clicking any unfamiliar links while gaming so they can be verified as trustworthy.
Employ Privacy and Security Tools
While system or console-specific settings allow parents to set content restrictions, approve downloads, manage friends lists and more, additional layers of security are sometimes necessary. Extra safeguards such as antivirus and internet security software, DNS (domain name system) filtering and two-factor authentication can also be enabled to help keep kids safe online.
For more tools to help parents make informed decisions and support their children’s gaming experience, visit corp.roblox.com/safety.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (father and daughter playing video game)
SOURCE:
Roblox
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Entertainment
Beam Unveils Veo 3.1-Powered AI Platform: Transforming Videos into Playable Games and Interactive Stories
Discover Beam’s new Veo 3.1-powered AI platform, transforming videos into playable mini-games and interactive stories—no coding required. Explore the future of interactive media for creators and storytellers.
Last Updated on December 13, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Play and Create
Interactive Shorts
Beam Unveils Veo 3.1-Powered AI Platform: Transforming Videos into Playable Games and Interactive Stories
Video, Reimagined: From Passive Watching to Active Playing
How It Works: No-Code Creation, Limitless Possibilities
- AI-Generated Media: Instantly create video, images, and music using cutting-edge AI tools.
- Drag-and-Drop Grid Editor: Arrange scenes, add branching choices, and build interactive storylines—all visually, right in your browser.
- Instant Publishing: Share your playable mini-games and interactive shorts to the web with a single click.
Free Early Access for Creators
The Future of Interactive Media
STM Daily News is a multifaceted podcast that explores a wide range of topics, from life and consumer issues to the latest in food and beverage trends. Our discussions dive into the realms of science, covering everything from space and Earth to nature, artificial intelligence, and astronomy. We also celebrate the amateur sports scene, highlighting local athletes and events, including our special segment on senior Pickleball, where we report on the latest happenings in this exciting community. With our diverse content, STM Daily News aims to inform, entertain, and engage listeners, providing a comprehensive look at the issues that matter most in our daily lives. https://stories-this-moment.castos.com/
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gaming
Dragon Shield Partners with Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast for Official MAGIC: THE GATHERING Accessories
Dragon Shield has partnered with Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast to create premium MAGIC: THE GATHERING accessories featuring iconic game art. Launching with the Legendary and Landfall Series, these sleeves blend durability with visual storytelling, marking a significant evolution for both brands.
Premium TCG accessory maker brings iconic Magic imagery to protective sleeves and gaming gear
Dragon Shield, the go-to name in trading card game protection, just leveled up. The Denmark-based company announced a major licensing deal with Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast to produce official MAGIC: THE GATHERING accessories, bringing decades of iconic game art to their premium product line.
For Magic players who’ve trusted Dragon Shield sleeves to protect their valuable cards, this collaboration means something special: official artwork featuring the legendary creatures and landscapes that define the game’s rich history.
Two New Series Honor Magic’s Legacy
The partnership launches with two distinct product lines that tap into what makes Magic legendary:
The Legendary Series kicks off with The Ur-Dragon, one of Magic’s most beloved legendary creatures. These Dual Matte Art sleeves celebrate the powerful characters that have captivated players since the game’s inception. It’s a fitting tribute to the timeless imagination that keeps millions shuffling up each week.
The Landfall Series takes inspiration from Magic’s foundation—literally. The debut features all five Tarkir: Dragonstorm fetch lands in their showcase forms. For players who know that lands aren’t just mana sources but works of art in their own right, this series delivers both beauty and gameplay significance.
When and Where to Get Them
Magic fans attending MagicCon: Atlanta will get first access to these new products, including an exclusive “Dracogenesis” sleeve featuring artwork from the Tarkir Dragonstorm set—chosen specifically to symbolize this new partnership.
Worldwide retail availability is set for late 2025, giving players everywhere the chance to sleeve up with official Magic artwork.
What the Partnership Means
“Working with Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast marks an exciting new chapter for Dragon Shield,” said Kevin Isaacson, Dragon Shield’s CEO. “MAGIC: THE GATHERING has inspired players for decades, and this collaboration allows us to bring our passion for quality and design to a game and community we deeply admire.”
Rebecca Shepard, Vice President of Franchise for MAGIC: THE GATHERING at Wizards of the Coast, emphasized the natural fit: “Dragon Shield is a trusted name among fans, and this collaboration ensures players can protect the game they love with accessories that celebrate the stories, legends, and artistry that make MAGIC legendary.”
Why This Matters for Players
Dragon Shield has built its reputation on durability and design—sleeves that actually last through countless shuffles and gameplay sessions. Now that quality meets official Magic artwork, from the most iconic legendary creatures to the lands that fuel every strategy.
Whether you’re protecting a Commander deck built around The Ur-Dragon or keeping your fetch lands pristine, these new accessories blend practical protection with the visual storytelling that makes Magic more than just a card game.
For the millions of Magic players worldwide, this partnership represents something simple but significant: the accessories that protect your cards can now reflect the game’s legendary status.
Learn more at dragonshield.com or follow the latest updates on Instagram.
What’s your take on the new Dragon Shield × Magic collaboration? Will you be picking up The Ur-Dragon sleeves or waiting for the Landfall Series? The blend of premium protection and iconic Magic art seems like a natural evolution for both brands.
SOURCE Dragon Shield
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