Leading the future of gaming with CPC—KRAFTON’s AI technology and NVIDIA-powered on-device AI—first available for testing via PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Arcade in early 2026.
KRAFTON, Inc. today unveiled the latest version of ‘PUBG Ally’ at NVIDIA’s ‘GeForce Gamer Festival’ held in Seoul, South Korea.
On October 30, KRAFTON joined NVIDIA to present ‘PUBG Ally,’ an innovative CPC (Co-Playable Character), and demonstrated how the company aims to drive innovation in gaming through AI. Enabled by an on-device SLM (Small Language Model) built with NVIDIA ACE technology, ‘PUBG Ally’ is an interactive PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS CPC equipped with the ability to communicate and cooperate with players.
Kangwook Lee, Head of KRAFTON AI[1], showcased two key features of ‘PUBG Ally.’ First, he explained that unlike traditional NPCs (Non-Player Characters), ‘PUBG Ally’ demonstrates cooperative and autonomous gameplay. Lee stated, “‘PUBG Ally’ can discuss strategies with players and adapt its playstyle accordingly. It can bring you requested items, assist in reviving its teammates, and make independent decisions during looting, combat, and survival situations—continuously adjusting its strategy as circumstances change.”
Second, Lee highlighted that ‘PUBG Ally’ enables voice-based interaction. “The system is designed for in-game dialogue and understands PUBG terminology, maps, and item attributes, allowing for natural player communication,” adding, “‘PUBG Ally’ supports English, Korean, and Chinese, and because it operates entirely on-device, latency is extremely low.”
KRAFTON also announced the first playtest plans for ‘PUBG Ally.’ Players can experience a test version of the AI teammate for the first time via PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Arcade[2] in early 2026. KRAFTON plans to refine and optimize ‘PUBG Ally’ based on user feedback prior to full-scale implementation, continuing its long-term strategic partnership with NVIDIA to further advance AI technologies in gaming.
Meanwhile, KRAFTON recently announced its transition to an ‘AI First’ company during its company-wide town hall meeting, KRAFTON LIVE TALK (KLT), held on October 23. Through this initiative, KRAFTON is accelerating efforts to implement Agentic AI[3], supporting AI workflow automation, AI R&D, and in-game service enhancements across the organization.
[1] As of October 2025, KRAFTON’s Deep Learning Division has changed its name to ‘KRAFTON AI’
[2] Arcade: PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS gameplay offering a variety of new modes beyond the traditional battle royale experience.
[3] Agentic AI: AI capable of setting goals and plans, integrating with external tools, and executing complex workflow automation.
THIS IS Our Take
PUBG Ally is not just a glorified bot; it is KRAFTON’s clear commitment to an “AI First” future for gaming, as recently announced by the company. The use of NVIDIA ACE and on-device SLMs is crucial here, promising an AI teammate that actually listens, understands battle context, and acts with genuine strategic intelligence—potentially making it more reliable than a random human teammate you find online. If the playtests go well, this Co-Playable Character could revolutionize the Battle Royale genre, making it far more accessible and fun for solo players or those who simply need a reliable, adaptable, and highly conversational ally on the battlefield.
About KRAFTON, Inc.
Headquartered in South Korea, KRAFTON, Inc. is dedicated to discovering and publishing captivating games that offer fun and unique experiences. Established in 2007, KRAFTON is home to globally renowned developers that include PUBG STUDIOS, Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, VECTOR NORTH, Neon Giant, KRAFTON Montréal Studio, Bluehole Studio, RisingWings, 5minlab, Dreamotion, ReLU Games, Flyway Games, Tango Gameworks and inZOI Studio. Each studio strives to continuously take on new challenges and leverage innovative technologies. Their goal is to win over more fans by broadening KRAFTON’s platforms and services.
KRAFTON is responsible for premier entertainment properties, including PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, PUBG MOBILE, inZOI, Subnautica, Hi-Fi Rush, Dinkum, and TERA. With a passionate and driven team across the globe, KRAFTON is a tech-forward company with world-class capabilities, continuously exploring new possibilities beyond gaming — including AI and other emerging technologies. For more information, visit www.krafton.com.
