AI-Powered NPCs are Quietly Reshaping the Next Generation of Web3 Games

• Advances in generative AI technology open infinite possibilities for players’ in-game experiences.
• AI-powered NPCs can now be minted as NFTs in Web3.
• Web3 games such as Star Atlas will launch with powerful AI-enabled NPCs this year.

The world of Web3 is in a blender right now as two of its staple technologies, blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), are being combined to breathe new life into gaming.

It’s an open market too. Now, AI-powered agents and non-playable characters (NPCs) are proliferating across the Internet and into our video games.

Smart NPCs

AI Agents are programmable bots that gained early traction in the crypto trading field, automating or informing crypto trading strategies.

In recent years, generative AI tech has evolved rapidly, resulting in an abundance of ambitious projects. These have culminated in the creation of ultra-realistic human AI models capable of being personal assistants, providing companionship, or reading the news.

Whilst versions of AI have always existed in video games, they’ve never been as responsive or full of infinite potential as they are now.

Modern AI NPCs can personalize gameplay and narratives, add layers of depth to in-game relationship mechanics, create, create new quests, environments to explore, and much more.

AI in Gaming

Recently, AI has been intersecting with blockchain technologies, namely non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which has opened up a treasure trove of opportunities for gamers.

One startup, SilkAI, has created a persona/character creation platform that brings NPCs, and even Coolio, to life as AI NPC NFTs in the Metaverse game, NetVRk.

Inworld develops AI-powered NPCs and is integrated with Unity and Unreal Engine. It’s been leveraged in a variety of genres, from Web-based quiz games to mods in the Elder Scrolls: Skyrim.

According to Inworld, the modern gaming industry titans like Microsoft’s Xbox have only just begun experimenting with AI NPCs.

Meanwhile, Web3 games like Star Atlas are going full steam ahead and are plugging SingularityNET’s AI offerings into their game to power their NPCs .

AI is becoming an important staple within the suite of Web3 gaming technologies, and its impacts on the sector will be profound.