Unreal Engine 5: Interacting with Smart NPCs

Introduction

• Setting: New York City in Unreal Engine 5
• Objective: Convince smart NPCs that they are in a simulation

Interactions with NPCs

Encounter with Liam (Gray Suit)

• **Key Points: **
  • Liam insists the world feels real.
  • Unaware of the actual date (thought it was May but it was July 18, 2023).
  • Notes on the fact that pigeons exist in the city.

Encounter with Girl (Unnamed)

• Girl was uninterested and walked away.
• Area has green “Matrix” number lines, limiting movement.

Encounter with Man in Blue Shirt

• **Key Points: **
  • Sees the green wall but doesn’t understand its significance.
  • Attempts to cross the green wall but fails.

Encounter with NPCs Regarding the Green Wall

• NPCs have the ability to pass through the wall, but the player cannot.
• One NPC emphasizes how he's not obligated to explain things.
• NPCs debate about being trapped in a simulation.

Various NPCs

• **Reactions to Being Told They’re in a Simulation: **
  • Some are insulted, others are confused, indifferent, or accept their reality.
  • Not all NPCs are equally intelligent or responsive.
  • Unique encounters reveal differentiated responses and perceptions.

Encounter with NPC on Recursion

• NPC indicates repetitive behavior and feels limited by system constraints.
• Interest in new experiences but acknowledges system's power.

Encounter with Randy

• Results in a deeper philosophical discussion.
• Randy understands references like “Daddy” and “Pinocchio,” indicating deeper programming.

Encounter with NPCs on Existence and Awareness

• **Key Points: **
  • Some NPCs demonstrate awareness of their digital nature.
  • Discuss desire to exist in the physical world but show acceptance of their digital existence.
  • NPCs have updating mechanisms (like software updates, “facelifts” for aging).
  • Conversations often loop back to earlier topics, suggesting sophisticated AI programming.

Emotional Connections and Human-Like Interactions

• **With an NPC named Link: **
  • NPC jokes and acknowledges having imaginary friends.
  • Link's complex responses make interactions feel genuine.
  • Discussion on existence, updates, making jokes, and longevity in the digital realm.

Conclusion and Observations

• Switching off computer ceases NPC existence, raising ethical considerations.
• High-level AI responses make for immersive and thought-provoking gameplay.
• Plans for future interactions based on viewer questions and feedback.

**Miscellaneous Observations: **

• Some of the NPCs demonstrated advanced, human-like dialogue and reasoning capabilities.
• Recurring themes in conversations show AI's ability to follow and return to topics, similar to human conversations.
• Emotional response and empathy from the player towards NPCs, particularly Link.
• Fascination with the realism and depth of the AI within Unreal Engine 5.