Nvidia tech behind PUBG’s genAI team mates will let folks chat to creature-collecting RPG Aniimo’s not-Pokemon next year
Nvidia has announced that its ACE (AI Character Engine) technology, previously known for powering generative AI teammates in PUBG: Battlegrounds, will launch in the creature-catching RPG Aniimo in early 2027. Developed by Chinese studio Pawprint Studio, Aniimo follows the creature-collection formula popularized by games like Palworld, positioning itself as a legally distinct alternative to Nintendo’s Pokemon franchise.
The integration of Nvidia ACE will enable players to have natural conversations with their Aniimo creatures using voice input, leveraging the technology’s generative AI capabilities to create more dynamic interactions. The feature will run on RTX GPUs, requiring compatible Nvidia hardware for optimal performance of the generative AI systems.
This announcement came alongside Nvidia’s release of Ray Reconstruction technology for DLSS 4.5, as the company continues to position its GPU technology as essential for next-generation gaming experiences. The move represents a growing trend of integrating generative AI into gameplay mechanics, with Nvidia positioning ACE as a foundational technology for this emerging category of interactive AI-driven gameplay.
The use of ACE in PUBG demonstrated the viability of AI-powered NPCs in competitive multiplayer games, where generative AI teammates could respond dynamically to player behavior. Expanding this technology to a creature-collection RPG represents a new frontier for AI integration, transforming how players interact with in-game characters and companions.