Lifeless: Now we're talking!

Lifeless is an innovative project aimed at testing the integration of AI with NPCs in video games. By using AI, we can dynamically generate dialogues, adapt NPC behaviors to the context, and introduce memory systems for NPCs to remember player interactions. This project is a proof-of-concept sandbox environment where players can interact with AI-driven characters to simulate a more immersive gaming experience.

IMPORTANT Prerequisites

Since the project uses Ollama as the "back-end" server for the AI models and processing, you will need to have it installed on your computer along with the models you want to use for testing. Otherwise, the project won't work correctly.

Controllers

• Movement:
  • Use the mouse to click on the map and move your character.
  • Left-click to interact with NPCs and objects.
  • Use the camera controls to zoom in and out with the mouse wheel.
• Menu Navigation:
  • Press Esc to open the configuration menu.
  • Use PgDn to return to the debug menu from any module.
• Creating Lifeless:
  • Go to the Create Lifeless module.
  • Once in there, add a name, surname and description.
  • Create the sprite using the Universal LPC Spritesheet Character Generator.
  • Once the JSON file and the PNG are on the Lifeless folder, hit the Save button.
  • Done and ready!
• Spawning a Lifeless:
  • Right Click on any walkable tile.
  • Use the dropdown menu to select the Lifeless.
  • Done!.

Technologies Used

• Ollama: The Ollama framework serves as the backend for all AI processing and text generation. It uses the Llama 3 model, which can be substituted with other models if necessary. Ollama allows the game to generate dynamic dialogues and responses from NPCs based on player interactions.
• Godot 4: Godot 4 is an open-source game engine used for developing Lifeless. It offers flexibility and rapid prototyping capabilities. Godot’s built-in functions for pathfinding and sprite management, along with plugins like LPCAnimatedSprite2D, enable easy customization and animation of NPCs.
• Liberated Pixel Cup (LPC) Sprites: The sprites used for Lifeless characters are sourced from the Liberated Pixel Cup on Open Game Art. These sprites are freely available under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license and provide extensive customization options for creating unique NPC appearances.

Contact

Project developed by Luis Chacón at AmeNoHi.

• LinkedIn
• GitHub

Feel free to reach out for any inquiries or further discussion about the project. Contributions and forks are welcome, provided proper attribution is maintained.

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Thank you for exploring Lifeless! We hope this project inspires new ways to integrate AI into game development and create richer, more immersive player experiences. Dive into a world where NPCs finally have something interesting to say!