Revolutionizing Gaming: AI Startup Character AI Explores Web-Based Game Testing

Revolutionizing Gaming: AI Startup Character AI Explores Web-Based Game Testing

Character AI, a cutting-edge startup that allows users to engage in conversations with AI-powered characters, is currently enhancing user engagement by testing interactive games on its desktop and mobile web applications. This new feature is aimed at enriching the overall Character AI experience for its subscribers.

Introducing Interactive Games for Enhanced Engagement

Character AI has rolled out two exciting games, Speakeasy and War of Words, available to paid subscribers and a select group of free plan users. These games are designed to make conversations with AI characters even more entertaining.

How to Access the Games

Users who qualify can easily access the games by clicking on a new controller icon while chatting with any character in their browser. A pop-up will prompt users to initiate a game chat, ensuring that their previous conversation remains intact.

Game Details

  • Speakeasy: In this game, users challenge the chatbot to say a specific word while avoiding five designated words. For example, to get the bot to say “croissant,” players must not use words like pastry, butter, bake, French, or flaky.
  • War of Words: This game features a duel between the user and the character, with an AI referee determining the winner over five rounds.

According to a spokesperson from Character AI, the introduction of games is a strategic move to enhance user enjoyment. “Our goal as an AI entertainment company is to find ways to make the Character AI experience even more fun and entertaining,” they stated in an interview with TechCrunch.

Evolution of Character AI

Previously, users could only create their own text-based games, such as the Space Adventure Game. However, Character AI is now expanding its offerings with proprietary games, further establishing its entertainment platform.

READ ALSO  Apple's Bold Move: iPhone 17 Air Could Launch as a Portless Wonder!

Leadership Changes and Future Goals

Recently, Character AI underwent significant personnel changes after co-founders Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas transitioned to Google. The company has appointed a new chief product officer from YouTube, while Dominic Perella, the former general counsel, has stepped in as interim CEO.

Perella emphasized that Character AI aims to create a wholesome entertainment platform, stating, “While there are companies focused on AI companions, we want to foster a community where users can create and share stories.” This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to evolving its safety practices as it grows.

Engagement Metrics and Safety Measures

Platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Netflix have successfully leveraged gaming to boost user engagement. Character AI is following suit, with users reportedly spending an average of 98 minutes daily on the app, according to analytics firm Sensor Tower.

Last year, Character AI introduced new safety features for younger users, including clearer labels indicating that AI characters are not real people. The platform also implemented a time-out notification for users who spend over 60 minutes on the app.

For those interested in the latest developments in AI, subscribe to TechCrunch’s AI-focused newsletter for updates delivered to your inbox every Wednesday.

Similar Posts

Transform Your Ideas: GitHub Copilot Converts Images into Code for Stunning Mockups!

Transform Your Ideas: GitHub Copilot Converts Images into Code for Stunning Mockups!

Bysupport

GitHub has launched significant updates to its AI tool, Copilot, enhancing user interaction and coding efficiency. Key features include Vision for Copilot, which allows users to upload screenshots or diagrams for Copilot to generate corresponding code and interface changes. Additionally, the Next Edit Suggestions feature improves code completion by analyzing recent edits to anticipate developers’ next moves. GitHub’s Copilot Edits now supports multi-file edits with a new “agent mode” for better context awareness. Looking ahead, GitHub is exploring Project Padawan, an initiative to develop a software engineering agent for task management, inviting community collaboration for refinement.

Meta Staff Discuss Controversial Use of Copyrighted Content for AI Training, Court Filings Reveal

Meta Staff Discuss Controversial Use of Copyrighted Content for AI Training, Court Filings Reveal

Bysupport

Meta is under scrutiny for its use of copyrighted works to train AI models, as revealed in unsealed court documents from the ongoing case Kadrey v. Meta. Notable plaintiffs, including authors Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates, challenge Meta’s assertion of “fair use.” Internal discussions showed employees considering risky strategies, like acquiring e-books without negotiating licenses and using resources from Libgen, a site known for copyright infringement. Concerns about legal implications were raised, highlighting the need for comprehensive training data beyond existing platforms. Meta’s legal defense team has been strengthened as the case progresses, emphasizing the importance of navigating copyright laws responsibly.

FTC Purges Critical Big Tech Posts from Website: What You Need to Know

FTC Purges Critical Big Tech Posts from Website: What You Need to Know

Bysupport

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has deleted over 300 blog posts from former chair Lina Khan’s tenure, many of which criticized major corporations like Amazon and Microsoft for their data practices. Khan, known for her strong antitrust enforcement, referred to tech leaders as “mob bosses.” With a return to Trump-era leadership, the FTC is expected to adopt a less aggressive stance towards Big Tech, raising concerns about fair competition enforcement. The deletion of these posts may violate laws on government data management and reflects a broader trend of sanitizing government documents. The implications for antitrust enforcement remain uncertain.

Meet DOGE's New 'Acting' Administrator: White House Confirms It's Not Elon Musk!

Elon Musk’s ‘Moment of Truth’: Insights from Tesla’s Top Wall Street Advocate

Bysupport

Elon Musk is facing a critical moment at Tesla, described by analyst Dan Ives from Wedbush as a “crisis” due to Musk’s heavy involvement with the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This political association risks turning Tesla into a political symbol and has negatively impacted its stock, which has fallen to about $230—less than half its peak of $480. Ives urges Musk to balance his commitments between DOGE and Tesla, while also providing clarity on future models. He believes addressing these issues could mitigate criticism and avoid lasting brand damage.

Sam Altman-Backed Retro Biosciences Secures $1 Billion to Revolutionize Human Lifespan Extension

Sam Altman-Backed Retro Biosciences Secures $1 Billion to Revolutionize Human Lifespan Extension

Bysupport

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is heavily investing in the biotech sector, particularly in Retro Biosciences, a startup focused on extending healthy human lifespans by 10 years. Altman previously contributed $180 million in seed funding and is now supporting a $1 billion Series A round. Retro Biosciences is conducting groundbreaking research to treat diseases like Alzheimer’s and has partnered with OpenAI to convert regular cells into stem cells. CEO Joe Betts-LaCroix aims to expedite drug discovery, with plans to introduce a new drug in the 2020s. Competing projects like Altos Labs and Unity Biotechnology also target longevity.

Publishers Take Legal Action Against AI Startup Cohere for Alleged Copyright Violations

Publishers Take Legal Action Against AI Startup Cohere for Alleged Copyright Violations

Bysupport

A group of 14 major publishers, including Condé Nast and Forbes, has filed a lawsuit against AI startup Cohere for alleged copyright infringement, claiming the company used over 4,000 copyrighted works to train its models without authorization. They accuse Cohere of using portions and entire articles, harming their referral traffic, and infringing trademarks. Cohere’s communications head, Josh Gartner, called the lawsuit “misguided and frivolous,” asserting that the company follows responsible practices and respects content rights. This case reflects broader challenges in the AI industry regarding copyright and intellectual property, as firms navigate legal complexities around fair use and licensing.