Tony Kim Jun 26, 2026 18:56
KRAFTON’s PUBG Ally, an AI-powered co-playable character, enters beta with NVIDIA ACE tech, redefining gaming AI for real-time squad gameplay.
KRAFTON has launched the public beta for PUBG Ally, an AI-driven co-playable character (CPC) designed to elevate squad-based gameplay in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. Powered by NVIDIA’s ACE (Avatar Cloud Engine) technology, PUBG Ally represents a significant leap beyond traditional NPCs by offering dynamic, real-time interaction and contextual decision-making. The beta, which began on June 17, 2026, runs until June 30 and is available in Arcade Mode.
Unlike scripted NPCs that rely on fixed behavior trees, PUBG Ally leverages NVIDIA’s on-device AI models, including a 2-billion-parameter small language model (SLM), to process natural voice commands, interpret gameplay context, and respond in real time. This integration enables Ally to act as a genuine teammate—coordinating movements, assisting in combat, and even recalling player preferences over multiple matches.
The decision to run the AI locally, rather than via cloud-hosted large language models (LLMs), was crucial for maintaining the low latency required in high-stakes battle royale gameplay. According to KRAFTON, earlier tests with cloud-based models suffered from delays that disrupted the fluidity of real-time interactions. Running the SLM on supported NVIDIA GPUs with as little as 8GB of VRAM eliminates network lag and ensures responses feel immediate, a key factor in player satisfaction during testing.
At the core of Ally’s architecture is a dual-layer system that separates fast, reactive gameplay mechanics from more deliberate, language-driven reasoning. Simple actions like movement or aiming are handled by a System 1 layer, while the SLM governs higher-order tasks such as interpreting player commands or initiating squad strategies. This design mirrors human decision-making and allows Ally to balance speed and intelligence effectively.
Domain adaptation also ensures Ally’s responses remain grounded. The AI is pre-trained with PUBG-specific data, including maps, items, and weapon attributes, to avoid generating irrelevant or nonsensical actions. Real-time observations from the game engine further anchor Ally’s decisions, creating a more reliable and immersive player experience.
The beta supports English, Korean, and Chinese, reflecting PUBG’s global player base. KRAFTON’s team tackled the multilingual challenge by studying in-game communication patterns across regions and incorporating slang, abbreviations, and cultural nuances into Ally’s training data. Early feedback from playtests indicates that players across languages perceive Ally as equally natural and responsive.
Looking ahead, KRAFTON and NVIDIA are keen to see how players interact with Ally during the beta. The introduction of long-term memory—allowing Ally to remember player preferences and past matches—has already proven transformative in testing, with players treating Ally more like a real teammate than a one-off feature. Insights from this playtest will inform future development, including potential expansions into multi-agent cooperation or richer sensory inputs.
NVIDIA ACE, the underlying technology for PUBG Ally, represents the cutting edge of gaming AI. Launched earlier this year with expanded capabilities for on-device deployment, ACE combines speech recognition, natural language understanding, and text-to-speech synthesis to create interactive, autonomous characters. Its integration with NVIDIA’s broader RTX ecosystem, including neural rendering advancements like DLSS 5, positions it as a cornerstone for next-generation gaming experiences.
With PUBG Ally, KRAFTON isn’t just enhancing gameplay—it’s redefining what players can expect from AI companions. As the beta continues, both developers and players are set to learn whether this new generation of CPCs can truly deliver on the promise of adaptive, intelligent squadmates.
Image source: Shutterstock
