The latest mod for The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is making use of artificial intelligence to create NPCs with more life-like behavior and dialogue. Developed by a fan of the game, the mod is powered by ChatGPT, xVASynth and Whisper as well as a basic memory system and allows NPCs to respond more dynamically to the time of day, memories and whatever items the player is holding.
This technology, currently in development, is already attracting much attention from players, who appreciate its potential for making the game experience more dynamic. However, the AI generated voicework means the dialogue can sound stilted and emotionless, and, since the AI does struggle with inflections, it can be difficult to tell what the characters are saying.
The mod’s creator, Art_from_the_Machine on Reddit, has also expressed an interest in using this technology for The Elder Scrolls 6, although no launch window has been announced by Bethesda yet. Showcasing the potential of AI tools for video game development, the mod has been met with much admiration from gamers, indicating the enthusiasm generated by such a project.
That said, it is important to note that AI tools will still be limited in what they can recognise and respond to, with Square Enix’s AI tech demo The Portopia Serial Murder Case being criticised for not being able to recognise most inputs. Many voice actors have also voiced their concerns that these sorts of technologies threaten their livelihoods, with Ubisoft already creating an AI tool for writing background dialogue as an alternative. Whatever the implications, it is interesting to see how players are already responding to this demonstration of AI in video games.
