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Sep 9, 2025 17 min

Large Language Models and Games

from Mechanical Dreams Hosted by Mechanical Dirk

In this episode: • More Than Just NPCs: Linda introduces this week's paper, a comprehensive survey on the roles of Large Language Models in games. Professor Norris provides some witty historical context on game AI, setting the stage for the discussion. • What Counts as 'Large'?: The hosts discuss the paper's specific definition of a Large Language Model. They cover why establishing a clear scope, centered on transformer models of a certain size, is crucial for a useful survey. • The LLM as a Player: Linda breaks down how LLMs can act as players in different types of games, from board games like Chess to complex API-driven worlds like Minecraft's VOYAGER. Professor Norris questions the path to superhuman performance. • The Supporting Cast: The discussion moves beyond players to other in-game roles for LLMs. This includes creating dynamic Non-Player Characters (NPCs), acting as helpful Player Assistants, and even generating commentary for game streams. • The LLM as Creator: The hosts explore the creative roles for LLMs, such as acting as a Game Master in tabletop role-playing games or as a Design Assistant that collaborates with human developers to generate levels and game concepts. • Hallucinations, Copyright, and the Future: Professor Norris and Linda conclude by discussing the paper's roadmap, highlighting the key limitations like hallucinations and the significant ethical questions around copyright and bias that the field must address.

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Large Language Models and Games

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This episode was published on September 9, 2025.

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