Character AI, a platform that lets users interact with AI-powered characters, is testing games on its desktop and mobile web apps to enhance user engagement.
The games are available to paid subscribers and a select group of free-plan users. For this initial rollout, Character AI has introduced two games: Speakeasy and War of Words.
To access the games, users can select any character they are chatting with and click the new controller icon. The app prompts users to start a separate chat for the game to preserve their ongoing conversations with the character.
In Speakeasy, players aim to get the chatbot to say a specific word without using five restricted words. For example, they might try to make the bot say “croissant” without mentioning “pastry,” “butter,” “bake,” “French,” or “flaky.”
In War of Words, users engage in a verbal duel with the character. An AI referee evaluates each round, with the competition spanning five rounds.
The company sees these games as a way to make the platform more entertaining. “Our goal as an AI entertainment company is to enhance the Character AI experience by making it more fun and immersive. This feature allows users to play games with their favorite characters while preserving the experience they enjoy,” a spokesperson said.
Users have already created their own text-based games, such as the Space Adventure Game. However, Character AI aims to expand its offerings by developing in-house games.
The company has recently undergone leadership changes. Co-founders Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas departed for Google, while a former YouTube executive joined as Chief Product Officer. Dominic Perella, previously the company’s General Counsel, is now serving as interim CEO.
In an interview with TechCrunch in December, Perella emphasized that Character AI is focused on building a platform for entertainment rather than creating AI companions. “We want to create a wholesome entertainment platform where people can craft and share stories. To achieve this, we are continuously evolving our safety practices to the highest standards,” he explained.
The introduction of games aligns with strategies employed by platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Netflix to boost user engagement. According to Sensor Tower, Character AI users already spend an average of 98 minutes per day on the app, and the addition of games could further increase this figure.
Last year, Character AI implemented new safety measures for teens, including clearer labels indicating that AI characters are not real people and a time-out notification for users who spend over 60 consecutive minutes on the app. These changes followed multiple lawsuits involving the company.
With the introduction of games, Character AI is taking another step toward cementing its position as a leading AI-driven entertainment platform.