Skyrim is one of the most popular and modded games of all time, but even after a decade of updates and enhancements, its NPCs still suffer from limited dialogue and interactions. However, a new mod is aiming to change that by using ChatGPT, a powerful language model developed by OpenAI, to give NPCs a memory, endless things to say, and a way to respond to voice commands.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI system that can generate natural language responses based on a given input. It uses a neural network that has been trained on millions of conversations from the internet, and can adapt to different contexts and personalities. ChatGPT can also learn from its own interactions and remember previous conversations.
How does Skyrim AI work?
The mod, created by a modder named Art From The Machine, uses ChatGPT in combination with two other tools: xVASynth and Whisper. xVASynth is an AI app that can create voice lines using neural speech synthesis, which means it can mimic the original voice actors of Skyrim NPCs. Whisper is an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system that can convert the player’s voice into text, allowing them to ask questions or make comments to NPCs using a microphone.
The mod works by replacing the default dialogue system of Skyrim with ChatGPT, which generates new responses based on the player’s input and the NPC’s personality, location, time of day, and memory. The mod also adds a new feature called “Ask Me Anything”, which lets the player ask any question to an NPC and get an answer based on their knowledge and opinion.
What are some examples of Skyrim AI?
The mod is still in development and not yet available for public download, but Art From The Machine has shared some videos demonstrating its potential. In one video, the player talks to Ulfberth War-Bear, a shopkeeper in Whiterun, and asks him about his store hours, his opinion on a sword, and his relationship with his wife. The NPC responds with realistic and relevant answers that are not part of the original game.
In another video, the player visits Danica Pure-Spring, a priestess of Kynareth in Whiterun, and asks her about her religion, her healing skills, and her thoughts on dragons. The NPC gives detailed and informative answers that show her personality and beliefs. She also remembers previous conversations with the player and comments on their actions.
What are the benefits and challenges of the mod?
The mod offers a new way to experience Skyrim and immerse oneself in its rich world. It adds more depth and variety to NPCs, making them more believable and engaging. It also allows the player to explore new topics and scenarios that are not scripted in the game.
However, the mod also faces some challenges and limitations. One of them is the speed and quality of ChatGPT’s responses, which can sometimes be slow or unnatural. Another is the ethical and legal implications of using AI to generate content that may not reflect the original vision or intention of the game developers or voice actors. Furthermore, there is the question of whether AI-generated dialogue can ever match the creativity and nuance of human-written dialogue.
What is the future of ChatGPT and AI in gaming?
ChatGPT is not the only AI system that can be used to enhance gaming experiences. There are other tools such as Langchain, which can handle memory better than ChatGPT; GPT-3, which is a more advanced version of ChatGPT; or Unreal Engine 5’s MetaHuman Creator, which can create realistic human characters with lifelike facial expressions and animations.
AI has the potential to revolutionize gaming by creating endless content, dynamic interactions, and personalized experiences. However, it also poses some challenges and risks that need to be addressed carefully. As gamers and developers, we need to be aware of the possibilities and limitations of AI, as well as its ethical and social implications.
