Update, December 21st: this alpha experiment has been suspended for the time being – read more here.
On December 18th, 2024, Linden Lab announced the Alpha release of a new Character Designer, a toolset for the creation and management of AI-backed NPCs (non-player characters) for in-world use.
Access to the new Character Designer is, at the time of writing, limited to Premium Plus account holders only – as was originally the case with access to the Second Life Mobile app; so expect access to be expanded over time in a similar manner to that seen with the SL Mobile app.
The Character Designer provides a solid foundation for immersive roleplay, offering a range of features that let you shape and refine the personalities and behaviours of your inworld characters. Current capabilities include:
Early-Stage Roleplay Support – Characters respond intelligently through IM, adapting and evolving as you interact.
Custom Personalities and Backstories – Define unique histories, preferences, and communication styles to bring your characters to life.
Integration with Existing SL Systems – Connect through a dedicated alt account, set arrival points, and fine-tune behaviour filters for a seamless inworld experience.
For a comprehensive overview of all options and detailed instructions, please see the Getting Started with the AI Character Designer guide.
– from the Second Life blog post on the Character Designer
Character Designer is being developed in collaboration with Convai, a platform for developers and creators proving an intuitive approach to designing characters with multimodal perception abilities in both virtual and real world environments.
Precisely how much of the Convai interface and workflow has been incorporated into the Second Life Character Designer flow is unclear to me (primarily because I do not have a Premium Plus account, and so am currently ineligible for the alpha trial). However, aspects of Convai’s ability to build character backstories and personalities appears to have been utilised, and will potentially be built upon, with knowledge and situational awareness capabilities recorded among a list of “planned enhancements” for the toolset.
With multiple experiments already in progress within Second Life in the use of AI alongside in-world NPCs, the development of the Character Generator and the noted work on an upcoming NPC functionality specifically to compliment its use could be of interest to many in developing NPCs for a range of NPC-related capabilites: for utilisation in actual immersive role-play environments, to shopping assistants, tour guides, to assist with simulations and training, education, and more.
Soon, you will be able to place multiple dynamic NPCs that welcome visitors, provide assistance, and enrich the overall atmosphere of your regions. By combining rule-based behaviour tools with Convai’s Narrative Design system, you can craft evolving narratives that adapt to your visitors’ actions and choices.
– from the Second Life blog post on the Character Designer
Convai promotional video. Note that not all capabilities shown may be applicable to the current SL Character Designer
Further information on the new capability can be found within the official blog post announcement, and the links below. I hope to be able to report more on the capability as I gain access to it with other Premium subscribers in due course.
Related Links
- Introducing the Character Designer (Alpha) – Linden Lab
- Getting Started with the AI Character Designer – Linden Lab
- Convai’s Narrative Design system
- Convai website (note: not all that is described in the website might by applicable to the SL Character Designer)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 