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99% of gamers are excited by the potential of smart NPCs powered by advanced artificial intelligence
Inworld AI, a developer platform for advanced NPC behavior and dialogue, today released the findings of its new report ‘Gamer Attitudes to NPCs.’ In the first study of its kind, the report surveyed over 1,000 gamers in the US aged 16-50 and found high levels of excitement about the potential of AI in video games. Specifically, there was an overwhelming consensus that recent advancements in AI could change the face of gaming and usher in a new era of immersion and interaction with NPCs (non-playable characters) with individual personalities and the ability to converse unscripted voice-to-voice with the help of ChatGPT-like language models and multimodal behavior and perception systems.
The report found that:
- 84% of gamers agree that current NPCs make a positive difference to gameplay
- Over half (52%) dislike repetitive NPC dialogue
- 76% want to see NPCs with better situational awareness
- 78% would spend more time playing games with advanced AI NPCs
- 81% would be willing to pay more for a game with advanced AI NPCs
A long time (not) coming
NPCs have been a part of video gaming from as far back as the 1970s. Despite significant technological advancements in motion capture, graphics rendering, animation, and modeling, the technology that powers the behavior of NPCs has remained stagnant. In other words, NPCs have not developed personalities of their own or the ability to respond to players unscripted. This is despite the fact that the report found that 84% of players today believe NPCs are a crucial addition to gameplay, with an important role in building immersive stories and worlds.
Meaningful interaction promotes excitement and loyalty…
The report highlighted the importance of narratives and storylines to the majority of players. Meaningful interactions with NPCs were heavily sought after, with only 9% of players dismissing or avoiding NPCs during gameplay altogether. A large minority (40%) even admitted to talking to as many NPCs as possible to unlock more story content. Equally, 91% interacted with NPCs on some level and 78% said they would spend more time playing a game with ‘intelligent’ NPCs.
Kylan Gibbs, Co-Founder and CPO Inworld AI said: “ Humans are storytellers. We’re drawn to narratives that help us to make sense of the world around us. The same thing is true in the gaming world – the more immersive and believable a story is, the more we want to stay inside it. So it’s really no surprise that so many gamers want to unlock deeper stories through these NPC interactions.”
…and poor quality promotes frustration and derision
While trolling is most prevalent among younger gamers (39% of 16-24 year olds troll NPCs), across all age groups, it was apparent that gamers willingly and regularly watch NPCs doing ‘stupid’ things – particularly when the characters were two-dimensional and poor quality. The typical NPC characteristics that were most disliked by players were: repetitive dialogue, walking in circles, and inability to adapt to changes in games (disliked by 52%, 33% and 30% of players respectively.) Other traits such as awkward movements and lack of variation also contributed to their disconnect from NPCs.
A missed opportunity for artificial intelligence
Despite these frustrations however, only a tiny minority (5%) view current NPCs as pointless. “Gamers care deeply about NPCs,” continued Kylan. “They have a huge impact on gameplay but gamers are frustrated with the fact that they haven’t evolved. With advanced AI NPCs, there’s an opportunity for games to give players more of the immersive and realistic interactions with NPCs that gamers want.”
A large majority (76%) want better situational awareness from NPCs, and 60% would like to see more interactive dialogue and a sense of humor. Understanding these requirements and being able to cater to them proved to be an appealing concept for almost all gamers surveyed. The report noted that 79% of respondents said they were excited by the promise of AI NPCs, with 88% believing they would make a game more immersive. This is in tandem with 99% believing the inclusion of advanced AI NPCs would positively impact gameplay, and 81% willing to pay for the experience.
Florin Radu, Head of Partnerships, concluded: “Advances in AI have real potential to bring NPCs to life and revolutionize the way gamers interact with them. At Inworld, we’re leveraging this technology to make NPCs smarter and more interactive, so as to enrich game narratives and make gameplay more immersive. It’s little surprise that gamers are excited by the possibility of having a unique experience with NPCs every time they play – and it’s precisely this excitement that we think will result in many more developers including advanced AI NPCs in their games in the near future.”
Play’n GO throws the switch on Lab of Madness It’s a Wild!, a gothic comic-inspired slot that surges with strange science and surprise. Players join the unconventional Dr Frankenstein as she attempts to jolt her patchwork Monster to life in a lab where every pull of the lever sparks new possibilities.
Inside her shadowy castle laboratory, the eccentric doctor – equal parts brilliant and bizarre – is moments away from success. Lightning dances across Tesla coils, strange bulbs flicker with colour, and each spin builds towards a shocking breakthrough.
At the centre of the chaos is the Monster Wild. It’s not just a symbol – it’s a scene-stealer, shifting positions, stretching across reels, and multiplying wins with raw energy. These Wilds can even combine their powers, filling the screen with movement and mayhem. Add to that a Power Up feature that delivers sudden prizes, and a Free Spins mode where stacked effects can keep the game alive with electricity – and the result is a slot packed with spark.
The visual style draws inspiration from retro horror comics, fusing dramatic shadows and hand-drawn details with neon bursts. The monochrome lab, oversized coils, and lively symbols create a world that’s both eerie and entertaining.
Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, said: “Lab of Madness It’s a Wild! gave us a chance to mix sharp design with surprising features. It’s got humour, heart, and just enough madness to keep players coming back for more.”
Between quirky characters, energetic gameplay, and a fresh twist on a classic tale, this is one experiment you’ll want to see through to the end.
The post Play’n GO’ electrifies iGaming with Lab of Madness It’s a Wild! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator continues to expand its industry-leading portfolio, which now features over 35,000 active games from both established and emerging providers. The company has announced new partnerships with Peter & Sons, Just Slots, BlueJack Gaming, FA CHAI Gaming, and TokaCity – five studios bringing original content and strong regional expertise.
The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator connects operators to the widest and most diverse range of games through a single seamless integration. A recent Kantar study revealed that operators select software providers based on security, reliability, revenue-growth potential, stable infrastructure, and high-quality client service. SOFTSWISS is fully committed to these priorities, consistently delivering robust security, proven stability, and responsive support, while enabling operators to unlock new business opportunities.
Through its Game Aggregator, SOFTSWISS not only ensures operational excellence with 99.999% uptime but also provides the industry’s largest content hub with over 35,000 active games, helping partners drive engagement and retention. This commitment to quality and growth has earned SOFTSWISS the highest Net Promoter Score (NPS), reinforcing its position as the most trusted and reliable partner in the industry.
Nikita Keino, Head of Partnerships at SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, comments: “Expanding our portfolio with five new studios strengthens the value we deliver to operators. Each partner adds unique mechanics, themes, and market perspectives, ensuring our clients can keep their offerings fresh and competitive. At the same time, we provide the reliability and tools that help operators maximise the impact of this content across multiple markets.”
The Game Aggregator has just welcomed newly added game providers to its portfolio:
- Peter & Sons stands out for its distinctive design, sound, and mechanics, with popular titles like Barbarossa, Barbarossa Revenge, and Ghostfather.
- Just Slots released its first game in 2024 and aims to launch 10 titles by the end of 2025. Now its portfolio includes Book of Arcane 100 and Shogun Skylord.
- BlueJack Gaming offers more than 40 slots and table games, including King’s Crown, Macao Ladder, and Quick Blackjack.
- FA CHAI Gaming specialises in slots and arcade-style content, including the popular 3D Fishing series and Coin Dozer.
- TokaCity combines modern slot design and crash-game PVP elements with immersive storytelling, developing visually engaging titles with broad appeal.
With the addition of these five studios, alongside recent integrations of CG Games, Champion, and Formula Spin, the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator further strengthens its position as the industry’s largest content hub, ensuring that operators can deliver tailored, competitive portfolios to meet diverse player demands.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator Adds Five New Studios to Its Global Portfolio appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Esports Charts becomes the official viewership analytics partner of the StarLadder StarSeries Season 19
Esports Charts, the leading esports viewership analytics provider, is pleased to announce a new partnership with StarLadder, a veteran tournament organizer.
The companies will partner for the new season of StarLadder StarSeries Season 19 — the legendary tournament series returns to the professional Counter-Strike scene after a six-year break.
As the official analytics partner of the StarLadder StarSeries Season 19, Esports Charts will provide comprehensive, real-time audience data and insights throughout the event for a deeper understanding of the tournament’s global reach.
“We’re proud to provide real-time viewership analytics for StarLadder StarSeries Season 19,” said Artyom Odintsov, co-founder and CEO of Esports Charts. “We welcome the return of StarLadder to the Tier‑1 Counter-Strike stage, adding healthy competition among tournament organizers. This season marks an exciting new chapter for a historic series, and our data will help capture audience engagement throughout the event, giving organizers, teams, and sponsors valuable insights into global viewership trends.”
StarLadder has been a driving force in global esports for almost 25 years, since hosting its first tournaments in 2001. The company has organized some of the industry’s most iconic events, including the StarLadder Berlin Major and The DOTA 2 Chongqing Major in 2019. Later this year, StarLadder will also host the Budapest Major 2025 — where it was earlier announced that Esports Charts will serve as the official viewership analytics partner.
The StarSeries tournament series, a key part of StarLadder’s brand, has helped launch the careers of numerous Counter-Strike stars. The last StarSeries event, StarSeries & i-League CS:GO Season 8, took place in October 2019 in Turkey. After a six-year hiatus, the series is finally set to make its return this fall with a brand-new season in Europe.
“StarLadder’s decision to partner with Esports Charts once again reflects our confidence in their leadership in esports viewership analytics. Their methodology sets the benchmark for accuracy and transparency — from tracking impressions with a true 30-second viewing window to providing insights that go far beyond raw numbers. Together, we are committed to giving brands and fans a deeper statistics of competitive Counter-Strike, powered by metrics that truly matter,” shared Viacheslav Shcherbakov, Head of Sales & Partnerships at StarLadder.
The StarLadder StarSeries Season 19 will run from September 18 to 21 in Budapest, Hungary, featuring a $500,000 prize pool. Eight teams will battle for the title: Natus Vincere, B8 Esports, Passion UA, 9INE, PARIVISION, OG, and Gentle Mates.
The post Esports Charts becomes the official viewership analytics partner of the StarLadder StarSeries Season 19 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Play’n GO’ electrifies iGaming with Lab of Madness It’s a Wild!
SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator Adds Five New Studios to Its Global Portfolio
Esports Charts becomes the official viewership analytics partner of the StarLadder StarSeries Season 19
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