The blockchain game franchise Illuvium is upgrading the non-playable characters (NPCs) in the game through a new collaboration with Virtuals — the protocol behind the famous social AI agents on X, including AIXBT.
This collaboration will use Virtuals' G.A.M.E. AI modeling framework to control NPCs in Illuvium's three games (currently in beta), allowing them to dynamically change dialogue, quests, or challenges depending on player actions.
"Imagine this: You walk into a bar. The bartender dreams of being the most devoted husband. In a traditional game, you might only have options like buying a drink or playing music. But in an agent-driven world, you could insult his wife, triggering his anger and causing him to attack you," the team behind Virtuals Protocol wrote in an X post on January 7.
🌟 We're thrilled to announce our collaboration with @virtuals_io, powered by their advanced G.A.M.E. framework! Together, we're revolutionizing the fusion of AI and Web3 gaming, pushing the boundaries of immersive roleplaying. 1/7 pic.twitter.com/Nka4w7J7ty
— Illuvium (@illuviumio) January 7, 2025
Players' actions can also alter their game experience depending on how they interact with the agents, which could include attacking the agents to change the area's dynamics or treating them kindly, which may yield unique rewards or quests.
"Multiply this new layer of complexity through each agent, in every scenario, and you'll have an endlessly story-driven gameplay experience."
Illuvium announced in a post that this technology will be deployed in the Overworld, a third-person exploration game set on the alien planet of Illuvium, where players (called rangers) explore and collect creatures known as Illuvials — which can be used in a separate Illuvium: Arena combat game.
It also stated that this AI technology may be applied across all three of its games, including Illuvium Zero — a base-building game where players create resources and outposts for use in the Overworld and Arena.
"Earlier this year, as we pioneered Agentic NPCs in Roblox, we envisioned a future where AAA games like Illuvium could leverage this technology to drive a content explosion," Virtuals Protocol co-founder Ether Mage said.
"Our collaboration with Illuvium marks a significant milestone for Virtuals as our first game collaboration."
Virtuals said the AI agents can persist across games, remembering their interactions with a player across multiple platforms.
"One moment, they're fighting you in Elden Ring. The next, they're building a shelter with you in Minecraft or providing strategic commentary and support in your Dota matches."
Virtuals Protocol — a project that allows users to launch AI agents — has gained prominence in late 2024, with the Virtuals Protocol native Token (VIRTUAL) surging nearly 9,900% in the past two months to an ATH of $5.07.
One of the most popular AI agents on the platform is AIXBT, an AI influencer focused on the cryptocurrency trading space providing market updates and information.
