Blockchain gaming platform Illuvium entered into an agreement with Viruals Protocol on January 7 to enhance its gaming experience using AI agents. 

Virtuals Protocol is a decentralized platform that allows users to create, own, and monetize AI agents across various virtual environments

New AI Agents to Take Over Illuvium’s NPCs

According to the announcement on January 7, this collaboration will introduce a new level of intelligent NPC (Non-Playable Character) behavior in Illuvium’s Overworld game. Overworld is Illuvium’s flagship game launched in July 2024.

By leveraging Virtuals’ AI technology and its proprietary G.A.M.E LLM (Large Language Model) framework, Illuvium will offer players a new experience. Previously static and predictable NPCs will now exhibit context-aware behavior that evolves in real-time based on player actions.

This partnership attempts to elevate the gameplay, ensuring that every encounter with an NPC will be unique, with dynamic dialogue and personalized quests.

“Today’s MMORPGs and story-driven games offer pre-scripted choices, constrained by the writer’s imagination and time. Agentic NPCs obliterate those limits. Instead of being stuck between choice A or B, you do whatever you want, and the agents dynamically respond,” Vitruals Protocol explained.

Interestingly, Virtuals also offered an example to explain the concept further. Imagine walking into a bar in a game. Instead of following a predetermined script, the bartender is a fully realized agent with desires, goals, and emotions. 

He might dream of being a devoted husband, and based on your interactions, his behavior will dynamically change. Insulting his wife could spark his anger, resulting in a confrontation, Virtuals said.

If you kill his wife, his world may spiral into chaos, reshaping the entire town’s dynamics. On the other hand, offering him a thoughtful gift, like roses for his wife, could make him trust you enough to share valuable secrets.

According to Virtuals, these AI Agents can also transcend individual games, becoming virtual companions for the gamers.

“One moment, they’re battling bosses with you in Elden Ring. The next, they’re building shelters with you in Minecraft, or assisting with tactics and commentating during your Dota matches. These agents don’t just respond—they evolve, becoming more intimate and personal with every shared experience,” Virtuals said.

In response to the partnership news, Illuvium CEO said the AI tech Virtuals has built is at the ‘bleeding edge.’

“The AI tech they’ve built is truly at the bleeding edge, and we couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with them on this transformative framework for Illuvium’s NPCs. Together, we’re setting a new benchmark for immersive gameplay in GameFi,” CEO Kieran Warwick added.

Moreover, the introduction of AI agents will unlock infinite content and endless replayability. From NPCs that adapt to gamers’ actions to entire storylines that evolve based on their choices, the future of gaming shows infinite possibilities.