Will AI replace Dungeon Masters?

[bagofholdem]

Just because AI can replace humans doesn’t always mean humans will be replaced.​

A common assumption is that if a bot can do a job, it’s only a matter of time before it replaces humans entirely. We’ve seen it happen with self-checkout machines replacing cashiers, factory robots replacing workers, and so on. But just because a bot can do something—even if it can do it better—doesn’t mean humans will stop doing it.

Take chess, for example. In 1997, IBM’s Deep Blue defeated world champion Garry Kasparov in a six-game match. At the time, some people thought this was the beginning of the end for chess. Why play a game if a computer can always beat you? But the opposite happened—chess exploded in popularity. Now, anyone can play against an AI at any skill level, making it easier to learn and practice. Top players use AI to study and improve, pushing the game further than ever before. More people play chess than ever.

AI might take over tasks people don’t want to do, but it won’t replace things people love to do. Chess is something humans want to play, so it didn’t go away—it grew. Like chess, being a dungeon master is both a skill and a passion. And as with chess, AI tools will likely enhance rather than eliminate the human experience.

How AI Can Help Dungeon Masters​

Rather than replace them, I believe that AI will be quite helpful to dungeon masters. Here are some ways in which AI can help dungeon masters do what they do best:

Reduce Cognitive Load and Prevent Burnout​

Every DM has their own preferences. Some like world building more, some like running combat more. With AI, DMs can offload the things they find burdensome, and allow them to focus on the aspects of the game that they find most fulfilling. A DM who loves creating characters but struggles with mapping could use AI to generate detailed dungeon layouts, freeing them to focus on developing memorable NPCs. By reducing the cognitive load of being a DM, AI helps prevent burnout and enables DMs to prioritize what truly matters: creating memorable experiences for their friends and enjoying their time together.

Enhance Creative Exploration​

It remains to be seen whether or not AI can be truly creative, but it’s definitely true that AI can help humans be more creative. Take journalists Kevin Roose (NYT) and Casey Newton (Platformer.com) for example. On their podcast, they talk about how they have been using AI to help as an editor, brainstorming partner, and research assistant. Similarly to journalists, DMs can leverage AI to refine plot arcs, generate innovative scenarios, or provide feedback on narrative directions. If AI can help a DM prepare and make them more confident for their weekly session, that’s a good thing in my book.

Facilitate Learning and Accessibility​

For new players entering the world of TTRPGs, AI serves as a valuable guide and tutor. AI can clarify rules, assist with character creation, and answer those questions someone might be too shy to ask at a table. By making the game more approachable, AI contributes to a broader and more inclusive community of players, benefiting both DMs and the TTRPG ecosystem as a whole.

You don’t have to use AI for everything.​

The nice thing about AI is that as humans, we get to choose where and how we integrate AI into our lives. If the goal is to have a good time with your friends, just use AI as much or as little to get there. If you think using AI will make it easier for you to have a good time on Wednesday night, use it as much as you need. If you don’t think its helpful or you don’t want to use it, you don’t have to!

So, will AI replace dungeon masters?​

No. As long as people want to be dungeon masters, there will be dungeon masters. And like chess after Deep Blue, the integration of AI tools may well lead to more people becoming dungeon masters than ever before.

Source

 

[Theory of Games]

There are AI GMs: they're called video games and they're far more limited than even the worse human GM. You can teach AI to play chess because chess contains (1) established strategies and (2) a limited number of moves.

TTRPGs are unlimited creativity and that exceeds the capabilities of AI

 

[Heilemann]

Just because AI can replace humans doesn’t always mean humans will be replaced.​

A common assumption is that if a bot can do a job, it’s only a matter of time before it replaces humans entirely. We’ve seen it happen with self-checkout machines replacing cashiers, factory robots replacing workers, and so on. But just because a bot can do something—even if it can do it better—doesn’t mean humans will stop doing it.

Take chess, for example. In 1997, IBM’s Deep Blue defeated world champion Garry Kasparov in a six-game match. At the time, some people thought this was the beginning of the end for chess. Why play a game if a computer can always beat you? But the opposite happened—chess exploded in popularity. Now, anyone can play against an AI at any skill level, making it easier to learn and practice. Top players use AI to study and improve, pushing the game further than ever before. More people play chess than ever.

AI might take over tasks people don’t want to do, but it won’t replace things people love to do. Chess is something humans want to play, so it didn’t go away—it grew. Like chess, being a dungeon master is both a skill and a passion. And as with chess, AI tools will likely enhance rather than eliminate the human experience.

How AI Can Help Dungeon Masters​

Rather than replace them, I believe that AI will be quite helpful to dungeon masters. Here are some ways in which AI can help dungeon masters do what they do best:

Reduce Cognitive Load and Prevent Burnout​

Every DM has their own preferences. Some like world building more, some like running combat more. With AI, DMs can offload the things they find burdensome, and allow them to focus on the aspects of the game that they find most fulfilling. A DM who loves creating characters but struggles with mapping could use AI to generate detailed dungeon layouts, freeing them to focus on developing memorable NPCs. By reducing the cognitive load of being a DM, AI helps prevent burnout and enables DMs to prioritize what truly matters: creating memorable experiences for their friends and enjoying their time together.

Enhance Creative Exploration​

It remains to be seen whether or not AI can be truly creative, but it’s definitely true that AI can help humans be more creative. Take journalists Kevin Roose (NYT) and Casey Newton (Platformer.com) for example. On their podcast, they talk about how they have been using AI to help as an editor, brainstorming partner, and research assistant. Similarly to journalists, DMs can leverage AI to refine plot arcs, generate innovative scenarios, or provide feedback on narrative directions. If AI can help a DM prepare and make them more confident for their weekly session, that’s a good thing in my book.

Facilitate Learning and Accessibility​

For new players entering the world of TTRPGs, AI serves as a valuable guide and tutor. AI can clarify rules, assist with character creation, and answer those questions someone might be too shy to ask at a table. By making the game more approachable, AI contributes to a broader and more inclusive community of players, benefiting both DMs and the TTRPG ecosystem as a whole.

You don’t have to use AI for everything.​

The nice thing about AI is that as humans, we get to choose where and how we integrate AI into our lives. If the goal is to have a good time with your friends, just use AI as much or as little to get there. If you think using AI will make it easier for you to have a good time on Wednesday night, use it as much as you need. If you don’t think its helpful or you don’t want to use it, you don’t have to!

So, will AI replace dungeon masters?​

No. As long as people want to be dungeon masters, there will be dungeon masters. And like chess after Deep Blue, the integration of AI tools may well lead to more people becoming dungeon masters than ever before.

Source

This reads like it was written by ChatGPT. Will forum posts be replaced with AI?

 

[Divine2021]

No.

 

[sevenbastard]

Honestly I'd rather have AI players.

At least then they might bother to read the rules or jot a note down.

"Computer make player two 24% less murder hobo and increase pop culture quotes by 13%"

 

[Professor Murder]

Why are we letting AI write blog posts now?

 

[grankless]

There's already a thread on this, and the answer is still no. Try and post real things.

 

[Golden Bee]

Beverage's rule of headlines.

 

[aco175]

I could use an AI to write things down as I speak and clear up the writing to something more professional. They already have programs like this, but something even easier like talking to HAL. I could use it to update my monster stats to the new edition look and create maps. A talk as it makes program would be cool to make the map and modify it to something as I give commands. Then create some pictures to go with the map a bit like the old Tomb of Horrors could be cool.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Thinking it is the other way, AI replacing Players. The GM would set the parameters for the AI to follow based on the campaign and let it run and just throw plot hooks and NPC in.