Abstract: The recently concluded Cologne Game Show brought together numerous industry giants, but my attention was immediately drawn to it.

In recent days, the most widely discussed event within the gaming community is undoubtedly the just-ended Cologne Game Show. Among the countless products showcased at this event, many were domestically developed games that could be considered "king-exploding" hits. From the highly-discussed traditional Chinese style solo game "Black Myth: Wukong," to the anime-style "Juezhan Zero" and "Mingchao," to Tencent's subsidiary Level Infinite hosting its inaugural brand presentation and unveiling 15 new games including "Assassin's Creed: Jade" and "Delta Force," Chinese developers are flourishing in various gaming sectors. However, in addition to these, there is another "king-exploding" product that cannot be ignored – "Club Koala." What sets it apart is that this product is arguably the only AI-empowered game that has nearly reached fruition at this year's Cologne Game Show. It is also the first Chinese AI game and AI User-Generated Content (UGC) platform to venture overseas.

Part 1: Smarter AI NPCs and More User-Friendly AI UGC

When the term UGC platform is mentioned, many might first think of "Roblox." In this vast "amusement park," User-Generated Content has undoubtedly been a pivotal factor driving the rapid growth of "Roblox." With the advent of the AI+UGC trend, everyone is delving into the boundaries of AI-empowered gaming. "Roblox" is no exception. In March of last year, "Roblox" released its AI tools that enable users to generate code through conversational AI and design materials via descriptions. Although it was a small step, "Roblox's" attempt to incorporate generative AI+UGC illustrated the enormous potential of this combination.

"Club Koala," on the other hand, is an AI UGC game platform that has moved beyond the development phase and is poised to step onto the global stage.

"Club Koala" is an AI-driven social game developed by Kunlun WVM. As a domestic enterprise that has actively explored and early on introduced a Chinese large-scale language model ("Tiangong" 3.5), Kunlun WVM's expertise in generative AI is undoubtedly promising. Judging from the content revealed about "Club Koala" at the Cologne Game Show, the game's most notable features include the inclusion of AI NPCs with "unforgettable memories" and an AI-empowered, code-free UGC game editor that allows players to truly indulge in an ever-evolving gaming universe.

① When AI NPCs No Longer "Forget"

AI NPCs are no longer novel creations; for instance, in "Nishuihan," AI NPCs have already provided players with an immersive experience. However, in "Club Koala," AI NPCs offer even more capabilities. According to available information, "Club Koala" employs its proprietary Play for Fun Atom artificial intelligence system. After integrating this intelligent NPC system with a self-trained GPT model, AI NPCs can remember all interactions and conversations they have with players.

Through extended interactions, these NPCs can perform reasonable and contextually appropriate actions based on their familiarity with the player. In simpler terms, it simulates the process of forming friendships between real individuals. For example, Charles (NPC) is a gentlemanly butler who is passionate about plant research. Once players become close friends with him, he might even proactively help tend to their garden.

From a player's perspective, these NPCs that have "developed self-awareness" seem more like living beings, and the sense of immersion and realism they bring might even rival the sensations of virtual reality (VR). These NPCs and players both inhabit Home Island. Apart from friendly interactions with NPCs, players can create their virtual avatars, build and decorate houses. Through the game's Blue Map feature, players can also easily download and share other players' island designs. Activities such as fishing, cooking, planting, and visiting friends are all possible, creating a large-scale simulated community.

It's worth mentioning that in some social games, players often need to set up separate servers to connect with friends. However, in "Club Koala's" simulated community format, players no longer need to establish separate connections on other platforms. They can directly interact with other players and play their own mini-games through the "Home Island," achieving a seamless experience.

② Code-Free UGC Game Editor

According to the official description released by "Club Koala," they have integrated an AI UGC platform called Koala Editor into the game. The core functionality of this platform is similar to other UGC platforms, allowing players to design levels and mini-games and play them with friends. What's unique is that using the editor in "Club Koala" doesn't require players to have coding knowledge. They simply need to drag and drop assets onto the screen to position them. This significantly lowers the learning curve and caters to non-developers, maximizing the activation of players' creative enthusiasm.

After players' creative enthusiasm is fully activated, they inevitably need a platform to share their creations. Clearly recognizing this need, "Club Koala" provides a UGC content community even before the game's official launch.

On Discord, the relevant "Club Koala" channels are very active. In just eight months, the creators in these channels have exceeded 200,000, with more than 70,000 active members. It's reported that "Club Koala" is gradually strengthening its presence on major media platforms like TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc., aiming to further boost the vibrancy and dissemination of the UGC content ecosystem.

图：discord

Part 2: The Mobile Version of "Animal Crossing"?

From the current perspective, "Club Koala" has kicked off its pre-launch phase with a strong start. Judging by players' feedback and enthusiasm, the appeal of AI UGC to players is undeniably enormous. However, setting aside the allure of AI and UGC, what draws players to "Club Koala" might also be its adorable visuals and unique style.

Based on the official PV release, "Club Koala" exudes a vibe reminiscent of "Animal Crossing." It employs a slightly child-friendly cartoon art style, but its character designs are more realistic (except for the donkey with a piece of meat). The interiors of the mini-game levels feature candy-colored palettes, which cater to the aesthetic preferences of female players and even younger players.

From the interior decorations showcased in the game's release, a wide range of styles can be observed, from dreamy pastel colors to slightly gothic combinations. Considering that "Club Koala" is positioned as a "UGC-focused high DAU (Daily Active Users) mobile game," it's anticipated that there will likely be numerous in-game purchases or content that players might need to invest a considerable amount of time into.

Furthermore, while it's not confirmed based on the available information, seeing the mentioned furniture and interior designs, I've come up with an idea:

As a UGC-centric AI game, "Club Koala" might not only utilize the AI UGC platform for mini-game level designs, but it could also offer a high degree of freedom for customization in areas such as home decor, clothing, and landscaping. Considering the strong social aspect of "Club Koala," incorporating a customization feature that has already proven successful in "Animal Crossing" could undoubtedly be a significant added value.

图：《动物森友会》

Part 3: Conclusion

Before the emergence of "Club Koala," very few have managed to replicate the successful UGC development path of "Roblox." Furthermore, amid the AIGC (Artificial Intelligence + Gaming) wave, while many companies are intensifying their exploration of AI+gaming, most are still in the preparatory stages. The number of companies that can develop and successfully implement such concepts is scarce. As for the AI+UGC path that is considered a necessary future development, "Roblox," which has already started experimenting with it, is still in its early stages, and the responses and outcomes have yet to meet expectations.

It's precisely because of this context that the appearance of "Club Koala" is all the more eye-catching.

Although based on current information, we can't definitively ascertain whether "Club Koala's" AI+UGC gameplay will truly be as "intelligent" as claimed, it's worth noting its growing user base on social media and Kunlun WVM's substantial in-house AI capabilities. This product holds promise.

Imagine if "Club Koala" proves successful; it would undoubtedly bring about a substantial transformation, both for Kunlun WVM and the UGC platform. It might also serve as a great inspiration for other companies delving into AI-empowered gaming.

Reportedly, "Club Koala" is expected to be officially released by the end of 2023. When that time comes, we will finally be able to see what kind of impact this game will have and whether it will live up to the expectations set forth