PUBG Adds First \'Co-Playable Character\' AI Partner

PUBG's Revolutionary AI Partner: A Co-Playable Character Powered by NVIDIA ACE

Krafton and Nvidia have teamed up to introduce a groundbreaking innovation to PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG): the first-ever co-playable AI character. This AI companion isn't just another NPC; it's designed to function and interact like a real human player.

This sophisticated AI partner leverages Nvidia's ACE (Avatar Cloud Engine) technology, enabling it to communicate, strategize, and dynamically adapt to the player's actions and objectives. Unlike previous AI implementations in games, which often felt rigid or unnatural, this companion aims to provide a truly collaborative and immersive experience.

Previously, game AI primarily involved pre-programmed movements and dialogue. While effective in creating challenging enemies (especially in horror games), these AI lacked the spontaneity and adaptability of human players. Nvidia's ACE changes this paradigm.

An Nvidia blog post details the AI's capabilities. Powered by a small language model, the AI mimics human decision-making processes. It can assist with various in-game tasks, from scavenging supplies and driving vehicles to providing tactical support and warnings about approaching enemies. The AI can even respond to direct player commands, as shown in the gameplay trailer.

Gameplay Trailer Highlights:

The released trailer showcases the AI's responsiveness. The player directly instructs the AI to locate specific ammunition, and the AI successfully completes the task. Furthermore, the AI proactively communicates with the player, providing warnings about enemy sightings.

This technology extends beyond PUBG. Nvidia plans to integrate ACE into other games, including Naraka: Bladepoint and inZOI, hinting at a wider revolution in game AI.

Nvidia's ACE technology promises to reshape game design, opening doors for entirely new gameplay mechanics where player prompts and AI-generated responses drive the action. While past uses of AI in games have faced criticism, the potential of ACE is undeniable. It could significantly expand the range of gameplay possibilities and genres.

PUBG, having undergone numerous evolutions, might find itself significantly enhanced by this new feature. However, the long-term effectiveness and player reception of this AI partner remain to be seen.