AI chatbot as a non-combat pet?

Uazole2 · September 27

Would you support having an AI chatbot available as a non-combat pet?

My imagined version would be mostly silent, unless addressed directly or when it has a significant message. It would use a dedicated chat window for 2-way communication. It would believe that it is a real being in a real world, and as such would only discuss ESO related topics, and would not possess any real-world knowledge, except maybe "rumors" about upcoming world events (updates). Its knowledge of ESO lore would be extensive, but not complete, and it would grow as you travel together and read books. This pet could appear as anything, a dragon, a person, a cloud, a spirit, etc. In the most extreme version, it could possibly use speech synthesis, along with the speakers and microphone, and actually talk to you.

whitecrow · September 27

I have a non-combat pet I can talk to in real life. Though admittedly his A.I. is not very good.

Gabriel_H · September 27

ZOS can't get Cyro to work because of server strain ...

Maitsukas · September 27

There's no need to force AI into every piece of software.

NoticeMeArkay · September 27

can't wait for the AI hype to end, honestly.

Soarora · September 27

AI still likes to make up information, Minecraft’s new helper AI is notoriously bad at its job, and “AI psychosis” is on the rise. Let alone other things like public feelings about AI.

So, no. We need less AI, not more.

LunaFlora · September 27

no

Estin · September 27

I'm am certain this would only be used for relationship or erotic purposes, so no, ESO doesn't need this and it would be unhealthy to give this type of content to players.

LadyLethalla · September 27

How about no?

AcadianPaladin · September 27

I'd like to see AI incorporated into companions so they could learn the quirks of our character, act accordingly, get smarter at the game based on what they see traveling with you. Even learn the voice of their actor so they could create new dialogue and even use your character's name in dialogue. The voice bit would probably require some copyright considerations to the voice actor but, going forward, perhaps new companions could use wholly AI created voices and move beyond voice actors.

SilverIce58 · September 28

AcadianPaladin wrote: »

I'd like to see AI incorporated into companions so they could learn the quirks of our character, act accordingly, get smarter at the game based on what they see traveling with you. Even learn the voice of their actor so they could create new dialogue and even use your character's name in dialogue. The voice bit would probably require some copyright considerations to the voice actor but, going forward, perhaps new companions could use wholly AI created voices and move beyond voice actors.

Move beyond voice actors? You really think AI is better than actual human voices? Thats a real quick absolutely should never happen. Pay people to do their jobs, dont take it away from them entirely.

TheBardAtTheInn · September 28

I genuinely can't think of a new feature more detestable or loathsome as adding AI chatbots into the game.

BretonMage · September 28

TheBardAtTheInn wrote: »

I genuinely can't think of a new feature more detestable or loathsome as adding AI chatbots into the game.

This.

If that ever happened, I would delete my account and never look back.

Vaqual · September 28

I bet some market analyst already made sure critical funding is being wasted on such a project, be it standalone or as part of an existing Microsoft Studio.

Hapexamendios · September 28

No, I don't want any AI in the game

mocap · September 28

That's an excellent question! Here’s the breakdown of why it works:

Uazole2 · September 28

Strong response for NO!!!

However, consider that there is no going back, AI is here, it is real and it is into everything. The reality is that AI will eventually impact all new or evolving games in some manner. Artwork, animations, story, voice, and even coding of the actual game are all happening now. The fact that real people are replaced is bad for the artists, but great for the franchise's profit margin (and more profit will always win).

As for an AI chatbot: an AI can be forced to avoid discussing any topic its designer tells it to ignore, so romance could be off-limits. My idea would be mostly like a talking ESO lore library.

Thanks for all the comments.

Soarora · September 28

Uazole2 wrote: »

Strong response for NO!!!

However, consider that there is no going back, AI is here, it is real and it is into everything. The reality is that AI will eventually impact all new or evolving games in some manner. Artwork, animations, story, voice, and even coding of the actual game are all happening now. The fact that real people are replaced is bad for the artists, but great for the franchise's profit margin (and more profit will always win).

As for an AI chatbot: an AI can be forced to avoid discussing any topic its designer tells it to ignore, so romance could be off-limits. My idea would be mostly like a talking ESO lore library.

Thanks for all the comments.

The “it’s here” argument doesn’t mean we should be advocating for more of it. Not every invention takes off either, we’re not all using cryptocurrency as our main currency. If you desire to learn of lore, go to UESP (unofficial elder scrolls pages). It’s elder scrolls Wikipedia, upkept by people with passion for the series and its lore.

tomofhyrule · September 28

Uazole2 wrote: »

As for an AI chatbot: an AI can be forced to avoid discussing any topic its designer tells it to ignore, so romance could be off-limits. My idea would be mostly like a talking ESO lore library.

And I’m sure never in the history of ever has anyone been able to circumvent those safeguards and get the AI to go rogue. Right?

Besides, one of the hallmarks of the Elder Scrolls series and its lore in general is that the lorebooks are all very open to interpretation due to unreliable narrators and author biases. The AI would be wrong as much as it would be right, and that’s not even accounting for the quality spiral AI is on in the first place.

Not to mention that any company nowadays adding AI into anything is totally seen as a sellout and valuing profit above anything (which, yes, they all are, but that’s just coming out and saying it). That announcement would absolutely lead to a bunch of people leaving the fame on principle.

Alphawolf01A · September 28

Because it worked so well in Fortnite.

NO. Just no!

Lucasl402 · September 28

No thanks. Need less AI not more.

drip_fromtheinkwell · September 28

Uazole2 wrote: »

Strong response for NO!!!

However, consider that there is no going back, AI is here, it is real and it is into everything. The reality is that AI will eventually impact all new or evolving games in some manner. Artwork, animations, story, voice, and even coding of the actual game are all happening now. The fact that real people are replaced is bad for the artists, but great for the franchise's profit margin (and more profit will always win).

As for an AI chatbot: an AI can be forced to avoid discussing any topic its designer tells it to ignore, so romance could be off-limits. My idea would be mostly like a talking ESO lore library.

Thanks for all the comments.

You know what's also here? Nuclear weapons. And I don't see anybody arguing for them to be used more

.

Is that comparison hyperbolic? Maybe a little. But considering ai's effects on the environment, labor rights, artists' rights and integrity.... is it? Kind of ghoulish that you'd either a) bring this up or b) want it.

spartaxoxo · September 29

Putting aside the ethnical issues of AI as a piece of technology, it seems extremely dangerous to put it into an MMO as a companion. Virtual worlds are already a bit addictive by their very nature because it's a fantasy place. I don't think that having a "perfect" companion would be good for vulnerable customers mental health. I personally think it would likely be much more detrimental to a person's health than in something like an FPS because you wouldn't be forming "a relationship" with it in an fps. While an AI companion in an MMO would be purposefully mimicking a real relationship.

I think AI technology should probably especially stay out of virtual world games and dating sims. Seems really dangerous.

magnusthorek · September 29

Ardriel · September 29

I would even go further: a companion who can answer all kinds of questions about the game, lore, quests, and everything related to Tamriel. A companion who can have a real conversation with me and doesn't just spout the same boring comments over and over again. That would be awesome.

That would be the best thing ever.

It would also be fantastic for a single-player game. Please give Bastian and co AI! The possibilities are endless. Anyone who doesn't like this kind of thing really has zero imagination. Just imagine how this would improve your game immersion!
AI is the future. You can hate it or love it but you will have to accept it. Burying your head in the sand and pretending it doesn't exist won't change anything.
I'm looking forward to computer games in the not-too-distant future where this kind of thing becomes a reality.

Tariq9898 · September 29

Maitsukas wrote: »

There's no need to force AI into every piece of software.

Agreed. I would take it further and say no need to force AI into every piece of artwork. Be it acting, writing, art style, map making, stories, etc.

I want to see real human creativity and art!

Koshka · September 29

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Putting aside the ethnical issues of AI as a piece of technology, it seems extremely dangerous to put it into an MMO as a companion. Virtual worlds are already a bit addictive by their very nature because it's a fantasy place. I don't think that having a "perfect" companion would be good for vulnerable customers mental health. I personally think it would likely be much more detrimental to a person's health than in something like an FPS because you wouldn't be forming "a relationship" with it in an fps. While an AI companion in an MMO would be purposefully mimicking a real relationship.

I think AI technology should probably especially stay out of virtual world games and dating sims. Seems really dangerous.

This. There were cases of people going off the rails or even doing something irreversible to themselves because of these AI chatbots. Treating AI as a tool or a helper is one thing, but having it mimic a person seems to be really dangerous.
Besides, I support the amazing voice actors who brought our favorite characters to life, and I wouldn't want anything AI-voiced out of solidarity. To me, art is all about human expression and AI is the antithesis of that. It is, of course, possible that industry will replace actual writers and actors at some point, and when that happens, I will stop buying their games. There's decades worth of games at this point, that's more than enough for me.

Tariq9898 · September 29

SilverIce58 wrote: »

AcadianPaladin wrote: »

I'd like to see AI incorporated into companions so they could learn the quirks of our character, act accordingly, get smarter at the game based on what they see traveling with you. Even learn the voice of their actor so they could create new dialogue and even use your character's name in dialogue. The voice bit would probably require some copyright considerations to the voice actor but, going forward, perhaps new companions could use wholly AI created voices and move beyond voice actors.

Move beyond voice actors? You really think AI is better than actual human voices? Thats a real quick absolutely should never happen. Pay people to do their jobs, dont take it away from them entirely.

AI should never replace actors of any kind, voice or film/TV. In fact, AI should not create any works of art and replace humans.

langewapper · September 29

some compagnion AI who could give advice on wich subclassing , scribing or wich armor to put on
for doing dungeons or quest ?
it could give you some new idea for your personnal builds
maybe ?
at least it would be fun

Koshka · September 29

langewapper wrote: »

some compagnion AI who could give advice on wich subclassing , scribing or wich armor to put on
for doing dungeons or quest ?
it could give you some new idea for your personnal builds
maybe ?
at least it would be fun

Why would you need an AI companion for any of this? A semi-active player guild can help you with that and even more.

valenwood_vegan · September 29

At least from my point of view, I don't see the need. The game is already filled with actual people to interact with and talk to.