PUBG Ally: At CES 2025, KRAFTON (CEO Changhan ‘CH’ Kim) and NVIDIA revealed a groundbreaking innovation that could redefine the gaming experience: Co-Playable Characters (CPCs). Built using NVIDIA ACE technology, these AI-powered companions are designed to interact with players in a human-like manner, marking a significant leap forward in gaming AI.
This collaboration combines KRAFTON’s expertise in game development with NVIDIA’s cutting-edge AI technology, showcasing a vision for the future of gaming where AI companions enhance immersion, cooperation, and storytelling.
What Are Co-Playable Characters (CPCs)?
Unlike traditional NPCs (Non-Player Characters), which follow pre-programmed scripts, CPCs are AI-driven companions capable of understanding and responding to game situations dynamically. Powered by NVIDIA ACE and an on-device Small Language Model (SLM), CPCs can:
- Interact with players in real-time, offering meaningful dialogue and cooperation.
- Adapt to gameplay scenarios, making decisions and responding in a human-like way.
- Enhance immersion, creating a more personalized and engaging gaming experience.
This innovation represents a shift from static, predictable NPCs to intelligent, interactive companions that feel like true allies in the game world.
PUBG Ally: KRAFTON’s Vision for CPCs
PUBG Ally: KRAFTON plans to integrate CPC technology across its gaming portfolio, starting with inZOI, a popular title known for its immersive gameplay. By incorporating CPCs, KRAFTON aims to:
- Transform the user experience with AI-powered companions that adapt to individual playstyles.
- Expand storytelling possibilities, allowing for deeper emotional connections between players and their AI allies.
- Set a new standard for AI innovation in gaming.
“CES 2025 marks a significant milestone for KRAFTON as we work to unveil AI technology that will revolutionize the gaming industry,” said CH Kim, CEO of KRAFTON. “We plan to closely collaborate with NVIDIA to drive the transformation of the user experience with AI-powered innovation built with NVIDIA ACE, such as CPC, that’s poised to redefine the future of gaming.”
NVIDIA’s Role in the Collaboration
NVIDIA’s ACE (Avatar Cloud Engine) technology is at the heart of this innovation. Designed to bring AI-driven characters to life, ACE enables CPCs to deliver:
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) for realistic conversations.
- Voice Synthesis (STT/TTS) for lifelike speech.
- 3D Vision and Animation for seamless integration into game worlds.
“AI is transforming the way games are created and played,” said Keita Iida, Vice President, Developer Relations at NVIDIA. “By bringing our innovative AI technology, such as NVIDIA ACE, to a range of their live games, KRAFTON is unlocking co-playable characters for new, unique experiences.”
PUBG Ally: KRAFTON’s AI Journey
PUBG Ally: Since establishing its Deep Learning Division in 2022, KRAFTON has been at the forefront of AI research and development. The company has secured expertise in:
- Language Models (LM) and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
- 3D Vision and Animation for realistic character movements.
- Voice Synthesis for lifelike speech and communication.
- Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Multi-modal Learning for advanced AI behaviour.
KRAFTON’s commitment to AI innovation is evident in its contributions to leading AI conferences, including NeurIPS, ICML, and ICLR, where it has presented research papers showcasing its R&D competitiveness.
Why CPCs Matter for the Future of Gaming
The introduction of Co-Playable Characters is more than just a technological advancement—it’s a reimagining of how players interact with games. Here’s why CPCs are a game-changer:
- Enhanced Immersion: CPCs create a deeper connection between players and the game world, making interactions feel more personal and meaningful.
- Dynamic Gameplay: With the ability to adapt to real-time scenarios, CPCs bring predictability and excitement to every playthrough.
- AI-Driven Storytelling: CPCs open up new possibilities for narrative design, allowing for branching storylines and emotional engagement.
- Collaborative Play: These AI companions can act as true teammates, assisting players in combat, exploration, and problem-solving.
What’s Next for KRAFTON and NVIDIA?
KRAFTON plans to roll out CPC technology across its gaming portfolio, starting with inZOI and expanding to other titles. This collaboration with NVIDIA is just the beginning of a larger vision to integrate AI-powered innovation into every aspect of gaming.
As AI continues to evolve, the partnership between KRAFTON and NVIDIA is set to lead the charge in creating next-gen gaming experiences that blur the line between reality and virtual worlds.
