Where Winds Meet, the wuxia-themed soulslite multiplayer ARPG, has captured the attention of gamers with an impressive 190,000 concurrent players on Steam. This popularity is not merely a result of engaging gameplay; it also stems from the innovative use of technology, as some non-playable characters (NPCs) are powered by large language model (LLM) chatbots. Players can engage in conversations with these NPCs through written responses or voice input, creating a unique interactive experience.
Player Interactions and AI Quirks
While the integration of AI in gaming has been met with mixed reactions, the NPCs in Where Winds Meet have sparked a wave of creativity among players. One Reddit user, MisterZan25, shared a particularly surreal interaction with an NPC named Zhao Dali, recounting a conversation where they humorously claimed their character was pregnant with his child and demanded child support. The absurdity escalated as they planned to inform Zhao that he was merely a character in a video game, anticipating a comical reaction.
Another user, Immediate-Molasses-5, took a different approach by asking Zhao what culinary creations could be made with ketchup and potatoes. The NPC suggested deep-frying the potatoes but humorously noted that ketchup was not available during the Song dynasty, a nod to the historical context of the game.
Despite the game’s efforts to maintain its wuxia RPG theme, the flexibility of chatbots has led to some amusing anachronisms. Generative AI, while offering new dimensions to gameplay, has also raised concerns regarding its energy consumption and its role within the RPG genre.
Reactions to the chatbot NPCs vary among the game’s community. Some players express delight in the unexpected interactions, particularly in earnest roleplay scenarios. Conversely, others are less enthusiastic. A user on Bluesky, rynegaia, voiced their discontent, stating they reconsidered downloading Where Winds Meet upon learning about the AI chatbot NPCs, describing the situation as “we are in hell.”
