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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BELLEMINT IS A NEXT-GEN, MOBILE FASHION STYLING GAME THAT MERGES VIRTUAL AND REAL-WORLD SHOPPING
LOS ANGELES /PRNewswire/ — Revolve Group (RVLV), the next-generation fashion retailer for Millennial and Generation Z consumers, through its partnership with Muus Collective, Inc. and Griffin Gaming Partners, has launched mobile fashion game BELLEMINT in the U.S. This advanced fashion styling game integrates the renowned brand portfolios of REVOLVE and FWRD into an immersive shopping experience. As BELLEMINT‘s exclusive retail partner, REVOLVE is expanding its digital presence, offering a distinctive blend of virtual and real-world fashion, designed to deepen customer engagement and expand its reach to new audiences.
In BELLEMINT, players (known as Stylists) explore REVOLVE‘s latest collections from popular brands, including A.L.C., Andrea Iyamah, Bronx and Banco, Hemant and Nandita, Maria Lucia Hohan, Rococo Sand, and others in an interactive digital format, providing an innovative channel for style inspiration and direct purchasing. Stylists tap into self-expression by creating looks, customizing digital avatars (Muses) with inclusive options for size, skin tone, and hair texture, and participating in daily styling challenges. They can connect with other stylists through voting on their looks and can follow and friend others who inspire them. As players earn their first promotion to a new stylist level in BELLEMINT, they unlock a limited-time 20% discount to shop on REVOLVE, seamlessly connecting virtual achievements with real-world rewards. This promotion-based reward system encourages players to continue refining their styling skills while engaging with REVOLVE and FWRD collections. Future updates will further integrate loyalty benefits, offering even more real-world incentives through gameplay.
What differentiates BELLEMINT is its seamless integration with the REVOLVE e-commerce platform, merging the virtual world with the real world to offer customers an aspirational, engaging, and personalized shopping experience. By tapping into the gaming world through a sophisticated and stylized platform, BELLEMINT supports REVOLVE‘s commitment to providing exclusive, interactive experiences that foster customer loyalty and drive innovation in retail.
“BELLEMINT offers an immersive and aspirational shopping journey that seamlessly merges virtual fashion with real-world trends,” said Sarah Fuchs, Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and Chair of Muus Collective. “Our initial regional launches in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand revealed a highly engaged audience that embraces self-expression and spends an average of 30 minutes a day styling, discovering, and shopping. With even more exciting features coming soon, we’re thrilled to introduce this experience to the U.S. audience—REVOLVE‘s primary market—and can’t wait to see how they unlock and embrace their perfect digital and IRL wardrobes.”
“The launch of BELLEMINT marks a strategic advancement in retail, merging immersive digital engagement with real-world shopping incentives. At REVOLVE, we’re committed to pushing boundaries, and this partnership with Muus Collective enables us to reach new audiences and strengthen customer engagement and loyalty through innovative experiences. By blending virtual and physical shopping, we’re elevating our brand presence with the potential to drive measurable growth for REVOLVE and FWRD. – Michael Mente, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, REVOLVE Group Inc.
“REVOLVE and Muus designed BELLEMINT to be a digital runway for players to discover and shop curated fashion — and for brand partners to market their products to a tailored audience,” said Emily Wang, Partner and COO at Griffin Gaming Partners. “The game serves as a new medium for brands to boost product discovery and brand loyalty organically, with players repeatedly engaging with digital clothing and accessories to win outfit styling challenges. Players enter and vote on challenges as a creative form of self-expression, all the while delighting in fashion inspiration and adding real-world outfits to their cart from their favorite in-game stylists and the game’s user-generated social feed.”
“BELLEMINT is a gamified platform where creativity meets the fashion and beauty our players love, offering a unique experience they won’t find anywhere else,” said Amber Bezahler, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Muus Collective. “We are proud to provide an inclusive experience with an unparalleled range of skin tones, hair textures, and body sizes—seamlessly aligned with REVOLVE‘s ethos. Together, we’re setting a new standard for diversity and representation in fashion gaming.”
To learn more, visit https://bellemint.com/, watch the trailer on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk3n4_YShqc and download the game on iOS and Android – https://bellemint.sng.link/Dp7nc/vfvd/f5t4. Media library can be found here.
Media Contact:
REVOLVE@walkerdrawas.com
Media Contact for Muus Collective, Inc.
amanda@muuscollective.com
About Revolve Group, Inc.
Revolve Group, Inc. (RVLV) is the next-generation fashion retailer for Millennial and Generation Z consumers. As a trusted premium lifestyle brand and a go-to online source for discovery and inspiration, we deliver an engaging customer experience from a vast, yet curated, offering of apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty styles. Our dynamic platform connects a deeply engaged community of millions of consumers, thousands of global fashion influencers, and more than 1,000 emerging, established, and owned brands.
We were founded in 2003 by our co-CEOs, Michael Mente and Mike Karanikolas. We sell merchandise through two complementary segments, REVOLVE and FWRD, that leverage one platform. Through REVOLVE, we offer an assortment of premium apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty products from emerging, established, and owned brands. Through FWRD, we offer a highly curated assortment of iconic and emerging luxury brands. For more information, visit www.revolve.com.
About Muus Collective, Inc.
Muus Collective is an entertainment studio building community-driven, fashion-forward experiences across mobile games and e-commerce. The studio’s debut mobile fashion game, BELLEMINT, empowers players to discover inspiration, style unique looks, and share their creativity. BELLEMINT is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play. Follow the Collective at http://www.muuscollective.com.
About Griffin Gaming Partners
Griffin Gaming Partners (“GGP”) is a leading venture capital firm, focused on the global gaming market, with over $1.3 billion in assets under management. GGP invests in seed through growth stages at the intersection of content, infrastructure, social platforms, and game-related companies.
SOURCE Revolve Group, Inc.
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Senior Pickleball Report
Exclusive Interview: Frank Adler Unveils Pickle Everything on People of Pickleball Podcast
Discover the captivating world of Pickle Everything! A charming word association game for pickleball enthusiasts. Get ready to pickle your brain!
Calling all pickleball enthusiasts! We have an exciting announcement that will pique your interest. The People of Pickleball podcast is gearing up for an upcoming episode that you won’t want to miss. Hosted by the charismatic Mike Sleeves Sliwa, this podcast is your gateway to captivating conversations with pickleball enthusiasts from around the world. In the upcoming episode, Mike Sleeves will be joined by game developer Frank Adler, co-owner of SantaBarbara.com, to discuss his latest creation that’s taking the pickleball community by storm – Pickle Everything!
Unveiling Pickle Everything:
Get ready to dive into the world of Pickle Everything, a thrilling word association game designed specifically for pickleball enthusiasts. During the interview, Frank Adler will share insights into the game’s conception, its unique mechanics, and the inspiration behind its creation. Learn how Pickle Everything brings together the joy of language and the excitement of pickleball, fostering a deep connection with the sport and expanding your pickleball vocabulary.
People of Pickleball Podcast:
Hosted by Mike Sleeves Sliwa, the People of Pickleball podcast is a must-listen for pickleball lovers. Tune in to gain valuable insights, hear personal stories, and connect with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for the sport. Explore the fascinating journey of game developer Frank Adler as he discusses Pickle Everything and its profound impact on the pickleball community.
Stay Updated with Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report:
To keep up with the latest episodes and news about the People of Pickleball podcast, be sure to check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report. Hosted by Mike Sleeves Sliwa himself, this report provides a wealth of information on all things pickleball-related. Stay tuned for updates, interviews, and exciting discussions that will keep your pickleball journey thriving.
Mark your calendars and set a reminder for the upcoming People of Pickleball podcast episode featuring the fascinating conversation between Mike Sleeves Sliwa and Frank Adler. Join us as we explore Pickle Everything and embrace the fusion of language and pickleball. Don’t forget to stay updated with Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report for the latest episodes and news about the world of pickleball. Get ready to broaden your pickleball knowledge, stay in the loop, and immerse yourself in the delightful world of Pickle Everything!
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http://santabarbarahappy.com/collections/oklahoma-premiere-pickleball-league
Sleeve’s SPR on the web:
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gaming
A Cautionary Tale: California’s New Digital Ownership Law and the Future of Gaming
California’s new law (AB 2426) aims to clarify digital ownership by prohibiting terms like “buy” for digital goods without clear warnings, emphasizing that we license rather than own them. Gaming Community
Today, I want to dive into a topic that’s been buzzing around the gaming community since PC Gamer dropped the news about California’s new law (AB 2426) concerning digital ownership. As a lifelong gamer and someone who has always been a bit skeptical about the concept of “buying” digital games, this new legislation hits home for me.
Cautionary Tale for the Gaming Community
First, let’s break down what this law entails. Starting in 2025, retailers in California will be prohibited from using terms like “buy” or “purchase” when it comes to digital goods—think video games, movies, and e-books—unless they issue a clear warning that these products can be taken away at any moment. The law aims to clarify that “ownership” of digital items is not the same as owning a physical product.
Honestly, my first reaction to this was a mix of relief and frustration. Relief because, finally, someone is calling out the elephant in the room: when we buy digital games, we’re not truly buying them, are we? We’re essentially licensing them. Frustration, on the other hand, stems from the fact that it took this long for lawmakers to recognize this issue, especially after high-profile incidents involving companies like Sony and Ubisoft.
Let’s talk about the impetus for this law. It all started when Sony announced the removal of certain content from the PlayStation Store due to expiring licenses. Players who had “bought” these digital shows suddenly found themselves locked out of content they thought they owned. Sony eventually reversed its decision, but the damage was done, and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin decided it was time to step in.
Then came Ubisoft’s decision to pull the plug on The Crew, a racing game that became unplayable when its online servers were taken offline. Imagine investing your time and money into a game only to find out that you can’t even play the single-player mode anymore. It’s a stark reminder of how fragile our digital ownership really is.
The law itself might be dense and legalistic, but the implications are clear. It’s about time we start viewing digital purchases with a more critical lens. Sure, you can still play your games as long as the servers are up, but once those go down, what happens? You’re left with a beautiful box art in your library, but it’s just an empty shell.
The requirement for sellers to provide a warning or seek an “affirmative acknowledgment” from buyers seems like a step in the right direction. Yet, it feels more like a band-aid solution rather than a comprehensive fix. The real kicker for me is the provision that allows for a “permanent offline download” option. That’s what we need! A way to ensure that even if the digital landscape shifts, our ability to play isn’t stripped away overnight.
As gamers, we’ve been conditioned to accept the “always-online” model, but should we? This law is a wake-up call that reminds us to demand more from the companies we support. If I’m paying for a game, I want the assurance that I can keep playing it, regardless of server availability.
In conclusion, while California’s new law is a significant step forward in recognizing the nuances of digital ownership, it also highlights the ongoing battle between consumers and corporations. As we move toward an increasingly digital future, it’s crucial that we stay informed and advocate for our rights as gamers. After all, we deserve to know what we’re really “buying” when we hit that purchase button.
What are your thoughts on this new law? Do you feel more empowered as a consumer, or are you still worried about the future of digital gaming? Let’s chat in the comments!
Happy gaming, and remember to always read the fine print!
PC Gamer Article: New California law inspired by Ubisoft and Sony requires retailers to warn consumers that the digital games they buy can be taken away at any time
Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
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