If you play the game Skyrim, you might know a thing or two about the iconic phrase, “I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow in the knee”. It seems like this line has been repeated more than a few times by now! This is because games like Skyrim must hold a certain amount of recorded dialogue, meaning players may encounter repeats when playing- but this might soon change.
One mod creator, Art from the machine, has created a version of the game that utilizes the Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT. This mod has the ability to make NPCs (non-player characters) memory recall conversations and events within the game. It also allows players to talk to these characters and they will respond using generated voices. This mod was demonstrated with a video that showed the player interacting with one of the NPCs.
The player asked the NPC if they had ever been told campfire stories, to which the responded “let me think”, before giving an example. Other NPCs responded to items presented to them by the player, showcasing how the mod works. However, these reactions were not totally seamless and still felt clunky- understandable when one considers the mod was made for fun, not a commercial game.
The mod has been met with enthusiasm by language model enthusiasts and some game lovers, although many are worried that chatbot AI might be the future of gaming. People like games writer Luke Plunkett have suggested that if this is the case, gamers are going to get exactly what they deserve.
Art from the machine is a skilled mod creator who has used his expertise to develop this mod for Skyrim. He has allowed players to utilise the AI ChatGPT, which gives the NPCs a memory so they can remember conversations and events. The mod was met with enthusiasm by some, while others worry that using chatbot AI might be the future of gaming. Despite some clunky responses, this mod provides an interesting demonstration of the potential of AI in gaming.
