RPG Evolution: The AI DM in Action

How might WOTC launch an AI-powered DM assistant?

Picture courtesy of Pixabay.​

We know Wizards of the Coast is tinkering with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered tools for its multiple properties, including Dungeons & Dragons. But what might that look like in practice?

Interactive NPCs​

Large Language Model (LLM) AIs have been used extensively to create non-player characters of all stripes on Character.AI. It's not a stretch to imagine that Wizards might have official NPCs included as part of the digital purchase of an adventure, with the rough outline of the NPC acting as parameters for how it would interact. DMs might be able to create their own or modify existing NPCs so that the character drops hints or communicates in a certain way. Log outputs could then be available for DMs to use later.

There are several places today where you can create NPC bots powered by AI that are publicly available, although the DM might need to monitor the output in real time to record the conversation. Character.AI and Poe.com both provide the ability to create publicly available characters that players can interact with .

Random Generators​

There are already dozens of these in existence. What's particularly of note is that AI can go deep -- not just randomize what book is in a library, but provide snippets of text of what's in that book. Not just detail the name of a forgotten magic item, but provide stats for the item. For WOTC products, this could easily cover details that no print product can possibly encompass in detail, or with parameters (for example, only a library with books on necromancy).

AI RPG companion is a great example of this, but there are many more.

Tabletop Assistants​

Hasbro recently partnered with Xplored, with the goal of developing a "new tabletop platform that integrates digital and physical play." Of particular note is how Xplore's technology works: its system "intelligently resolves rules and character behaviors, and provides innovative gameplay, new scenarios and ever-changing storytelling events. The technology allows players to learn by playing with no rulebook needed, save games to resume later, enables remote gameplay, and offers features like immersive contextual sound and connected dice."

If that sounds like it could be used to enhance an in-person Dungeons & Dragons game, Xplored is already on that path with Teburu, a digital board game platform that uses "smart-sensing technology, AI, and dynamic multimedia." Xplored's AI platform could keep track of miniatures on a table, dice rolls, and even the status of your character sheet, all managed invisibly and remotely by an AI behind the scenes and communicating with the (human) DM.

Dungeon Master​

And then there's the most challenging aspect of play that WOTC struggles with to this day: having enough Dungeon Masters to support a group. Wizards could exclusively license these automated DMs, who would have all the materials necessary to run a game. Some adventures would be easier for an AI DM to run than others -- straightforward dungeon crawls necessarily limit player agency and ensure the AI can run it within parameters, while a social setting could easily confuse it.

Developers are already pushing this model with various levels of success. For an example, see AI Realm.

What's Next?​

If Hasbro's current CEO and former WOTC CEO Chris Cocks is serious about AI, this is just a hint at what's possible. If the past battles over virtual tabletops are any indication, WOTC will likely take a twofold approach: ensure it's AI is well-versed in how it engages with adventures, and defend its branded properties against rival AI platforms that do the same thing. As Cocks pointed out in a recent interview, WOTC's advantage isn't in the technology itself but in its licenses, and it will likely all have a home on D&D Beyond. Get ready!

 

[Raiztt]

If there's no difference, why are you so angry about it?

I'm not 'angry' - I'm disdainful - and if you'd re-read what I wrote you'd notice that I said, 'art created by people', not images generated by an algo.

 

[LesserThan]

That's sad to hear and it certainly helps to explain why attitudes to art and artists in the US are more "insane" than most of the world. You don't typically see European posters attempting to imply that they've never had an opportunity to create art,

USA has had only 2 paths for over 60 years. Either you do books and tests to get into college you can not afford to put you in debt do the economy can survive, or drop out and maybe learn a trade skill and have money to support yourself.

That is the mode of US education system.

Art also costs money. Who is paying for the clay, canvas, computers, etc? Taxpayers won't, teachers can't afford to.

This is why so mant turn to AI or photo edit tools, because even minor skilled people can not do it as quickly and cheapily as digital or "professionals".

Miniature sculpting is already almost all done digitally in these 3D carving programs. Look at most STLs and less are done manually than digital.

 

[LesserThan]

The real usage I think would be for an LLM not to just synthesize junk but to act as a powerful search tool for all the existing FR material

This was supposed to be with the other post. I screwed up somehow and it is 2 replies.

You do not need AI for a wiki. That is all you need to search.

 

[Sulicius]

I'm not 'angry' - I'm disdainful - and if you'd re-read what I wrote you'd notice that I said, 'art created by people', not images generated by an algo.

Whatever you think you are, you are being real f*cking rude to me. You don’t seem to be interested in a discussion, just in listening to yourself.

 

[Oofta]

There is no difference when you're sharing and using art created by people to use as references and inspiration. Thats what you should be doing. And if you need something even more exact, you can commission an artist instead.

I simply see no reason I "should" be doing one thing over another. In either case I am not paying the original artist. Holier than thou attitude aside, I see no difference.

 

[Raiztt]

I simply see no reason I "should" be doing one thing over another. In either case I am not paying the original artist. Holier than thou attitude aside, I see no difference.

Ok - I understand that you do not see any difference in something created by a human, and something created by an unthinking, unfeeling machine. From which I can infer at least a little bit about your view of people if you think these two things have no differences.

 

[Raiztt]

Whatever you think you are, you are being real f*cking rude to me. You don’t seem to be interested in a discussion, just in listening to yourself.

Ok

 

[Not a Decepticon]

Come on, I literally gave an example in this thread about why art I generated with MidJourney was better than human art. I don’t get how you still think all AI art looks bad.

Do I need to give more examples?

What you posted only proved you're having a serious case of Dunning-Kruger and think you know art, while not being able to tell a good art if it jumped from the bushes and delivered you a sweet chin music.

You are saying we have to understand AI and how it works, but without using it. Do I have that right?

I am saying people should study art and artistis process and then they could much easier spot fake crap.

 

[Sulicius]

What you posted only proved you're having a serious case of Dunning-Kruger and think you know art, while not being able to tell a good art if it jumped from the bushes and delivered you a sweet chin music.

I am saying people should study art and artistis process and then they could much easier spot fake crap.

I agree what you're going for, but what I am trying to get across is that these tools can be useful for a DM.

Sure, you can spot fake crap, but that isn't the point when I turn around my iPad for my players. Sometimes it's a random piece of art I found on the internet, sometimes it's an image I generated with AI. If WotC created a tool that ethically compensated their artists for this use, I might use it. It really helps for players who need a visual aid to remember characters.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Mod Note:

@Sulicius
Watch the language here, please. Even minimally edited profanity is unwelcome here.
@Raiztt
Watch the attitude & tone. Disagree without being disagreeable and try to keep things civil.