Character AI Introduces Games to Increase Engagement on Its Platform
Character AI, a startup that lets users chat with different AI-powered characters, is now testing games on its desktop and mobile web apps to increase engagement on its platform.
Initial Release of Two Games
The games are available to Character AI’s paid subscribers and a limited set of users on the free plan. For this initial release, the company developed two games, Speakeasy and War of Words.
How Games Work
Users who have access to the games can go to any of the characters they are chatting with in the browser and tap on the new controller icon. Users can then play the games with the existing characters. The app shows a pop-up to users to start a new chat for games so their previous conversation with that character stays the same.
Speakeasy Game
In Speakeasy, users have to get the chatbot to say a particular word without using five listed words. For instance, if you have to make the bot say “croissant” without using listed words like pastry, butter, bake, French, and flaky.
War of Words Game
In War of Words, users have to duel with the character, and an AI referee decides who won a particular round over five rounds.
Goal of Introducing Games
Character AI said that this is the company’s way of making the service more entertaining.
“Our goal as an AI entertainment company is to find ways to make the Character AI experience even more fun and entertaining. We’re currently testing a feature that allows gameplay with your favorite Characters, all while keeping the immersive experience users love,” a spokesperson told TechCrunch.
Character AI’s Plan for the Future
Users already have their own characters for text-based games like this Space Adventure Game. However, the company is trying to bring its own games to the platform, too.
Character AI has gone through personnel changes at the top after co-founders Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas left for Google. The company hired a YouTube exec as the chief product officer, and Dominic Perella, who was the general counsel to the company, became the interim CEO.
In December, Perella told TechCrunch that Character AI positions itself as an entertainment company. The introduction of games is a step that further reinforces that image.
Impact on User Engagement
Platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Netflix have used games to increase engagement on their platforms. Character AI is possibly taking the same route to have users spend more time on the platform. According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, Character AI users spend 98 minutes per day on the app.
Safety Practices
Last year, the company added new safety tools for teens, including more prominent labels on AI characters notifying users that these are not real people after the company was part of multiple lawsuits. The startup also added a time-out notification for when a user is on the app for 60 minutes at a time.
Conclusion
Character AI is taking a new approach to increase engagement on its platform by introducing games. This move is in line with the company’s goal of positioning itself as an entertainment company. By offering games, Character AI is providing users with a more enjoyable experience, which may lead to increased user retention and engagement.
FAQs
Q: What are the two games that Character AI is currently testing?
A: The two games are Speakeasy and War of Words.
Q: Who can access the games?
A: The games are available to Character AI’s paid subscribers and a limited set of users on the free plan.
Q: What is the goal of introducing games to Character AI’s platform?
A: The goal is to make the service more entertaining and provide users with a more enjoyable experience.
