LLM-Powered NPCs: Evaluating the Impact of Large Language Models on NPC Design
Number of Authors: 3 2025 (English) In: Interactive Storytelling 2025: 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2025, Saint Julian, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings, Part II / [ed] María Cecilia Reyes; Frank Nack, Springer Nature , 2025, p. 171-189Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]
This study explores how the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) in story-driven video games may impact the social interactions and storytelling with non-playing characters (NPCs). We conducted a case study where participants experienced interacting with LLM-controlled NPCs in the roleplaying game Skyrim. Using the community based game modification Mantella, an alternative to the traditional scripted dialogue trees used for NPC that is substituted with LLM-powered conversations. The case study was conducted in three phases; first with a structured interview, second by an experiment where the participants interacted with LLM-powered NPCs, and finally by an in-depth semi-structured interview concerning the participants’ experiences. The data was thematically analyzed. Our findings indicate that LLM-powered NPCs enhance immersion and agency, as well as offering a sense of recurring novelty due to the unpredictable nature of LLMs. However, implementing a technology which allows for unrestricted dialogue and storytelling in a game not designed for it, poses challenges. For example, nascent technological issues with the integration of the LLM in the game mechanics may have a negative impact on players’ in terms of immersion and the believability of the NPCs. In addition, we examine the potential for LLM-powered NPCs to enrich game worlds in alignment with an appropriate game design. Based on the results, we suggest the suitable approaches for the usage of LLM-powered NPCs in future game development in regards to story-driven games and other applications where narration is key.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages Springer Nature , 2025. p. 171-189
Series
Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS), ISSN 0302-9743 ; 16375
Keywords [en]
NPC, AI, Large Language Models, Interactive Story Telling, Role-playing Games, Believable Agents, Intelligent Agents, Conversational Agents, Game Design, Skyrim, Modding
National Category
Information Systems, Social aspects
Research subject Computer and Systems Sciences
Identifiers URN: urn:nbn:se:su:diva-250708 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-12405-0_10 Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105024541054 ISBN: 978-3-032-12404-3 (print) ISBN: 978-3-032-12405-0 (electronic) OAI: oai:DiVA.org:su-250708 DiVA, id: diva2:2024353
Conference 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2025, Saint Julian, Malta, December 1–5, 2025.
2025-12-282025-12-282026-01-13 Bibliographically approved