The popular battle royale game PUBG: Battlegrounds is set to revolutionize its gameplay experience by introducing AI-powered non-player characters (NPCs) that can actively support and interact with players. Powered by NVIDIA’s cutting-edge Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE) generative AI technology, these Co-Playable Characters (CPCs) promise to adapt to player strategies and provide dynamic, real-time conversations during matches. This bold move was unveiled by PUBG publisher Krafton during CES 2025.
These AI allies, dubbed PUBG Allies, will bring a new level of depth to the game. They’re not just scripted bots but intelligent companions capable of understanding and discussing in-match events with players. By analyzing gameplay styles, these CPCs adapt their strategies to complement the player’s approach, whether it’s aggressive firefights or stealthy ambushes. This marks a significant shift in how AI is used in competitive gaming, moving from simple opponent roles to actively assisting the player as part of a team.
Kangwook Lee, head of Krafton’s deep learning division, emphasized the company’s ambition to set new standards in gaming through AI innovation. “We will continue to innovate user experiences by integrating CPC into our games and aim to establish it as a benchmark for the gaming industry,” he said. The CPC technology also made an appearance in another Krafton project, the upcoming life simulation game inZOI, during the same CES demo.
NVIDIA ACE, the driving force behind these AI-powered allies, was first introduced during Computex 2023. This generative AI tech has already been utilized in other titles, such as the multiplayer game Mecha BREAK, which showcased its capabilities at Gamescom last year. Krafton’s integration of NVIDIA ACE involves on-device small language models, ensuring seamless real-time interactions without heavy reliance on external cloud computing.
The introduction of CPCs could redefine the role of NPCs in multiplayer games, where communication and adaptability are often limited to human teammates. By blending real-time AI conversation and gameplay adaptability, Krafton is creating a hybrid gaming experience that bridges the gap between single-player storytelling and multiplayer interaction.
While Krafton has not announced an official release date for the CPCs, the tech demo at CES 2025 suggests the feature is well into development. This integration highlights the growing trend of generative AI shaping the future of gaming, making characters smarter, more responsive, and deeply immersive.
As Krafton and NVIDIA continue to push the boundaries of AI technology, PUBG players can look forward to a gameplay experience that’s more engaging, intuitive, and personalized than ever before. From strategizing with your AI ally to sharing in-match commentary, these PUBG Allies aim to make every drop into the battlegrounds a dynamic and collaborative experience.
