Character AI, a startup known for its interactive AI-driven characters, is breaking into the gaming space by testing out games within its desktop and mobile web apps. This move is aimed at boosting user engagement and enhancing the overall experience on its platform.
Currently, the games are being rolled out to paid subscribers as well as a select group of free-plan users. As part of this initial launch, two games—Speakeasy and War of Words—are available. Players can simply go to any character they’re already chatting with, tap the new controller icon, and start playing. A pop-up feature allows users to begin a session without altering their ongoing conversations with the character.
In Speakeasy, the goal is to get the chatbot to say a specific word without using five “restricted” terms. For example, convincing the chatbot to say “croissant” without mentioning words like “pastry,” “butter,” “bake,” “French,” or “flaky” is part of the challenge. Meanwhile, War of Words pits users against a character in a competitive duel, where an AI referee determines the winner for each of the five rounds.
This feature aligns with Character AI’s broader mission to position itself as an AI entertainment platform rather than focusing solely on AI companionship. A company spokesperson explained, “Our goal as an AI entertainment company is to create an engaging, fun platform where users can interact with their favorite characters in immersive ways. These games are one part of that vision.”
On the business side, Character AI has seen significant shifts in leadership in recent months. Co-founders Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas made a notable exit to Google, and Dominic Perella, previously the company's general counsel, stepped in as interim CEO. Character AI also brought on a former YouTube executive as Chief Product Officer to help steer its evolving product roadmap. These leadership changes signify a continued effort to reinforce the platform’s identity as an AI-driven entertainment hub.
Beyond games, the company has focused on fostering safe user interactions—especially for younger audiences. In late 2024, they implemented new safety features such as clearer disclaimers highlighting that AI characters are not real and time-out notifications for users who spend extended periods on the app.
As competitors like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Netflix integrate gaming into their ecosystems to drive engagement, Character AI is following a similar trajectory. According to data from Sensor Tower, users already spend an impressive 98 minutes per day on the app. By introducing games, the company aims to increase this metric further while continuing to solidify its role as a leader in AI-powered entertainment.
It’s clear that Character AI views this step as part of its move to a more creative and dynamic platform, helping users craft and share stories while adding new layers of interaction. For a company navigating rapid shifts and challenges, this playful addition could be just what’s needed to take their platform to the next level.
