A Stardew Valley Mod Replaces Characters with AI
A Stardew Valley mod claims to offer "33 provided brains" to replace the complex, well-written characters of the original game. The idea is that you'll be able to create and customize AI-controlled characters to hang out in Stardew Valley, but the replacement of the original characters with these AI-controlled NPCs feels like an alternate ending where the town has been taken over by a mega-corporation, and their sole purpose is to make money.
I love Stardew Valley. It's one of those games that can consume your entire day, as you get lost in the rhythm of daily life in the rural town. The charm of Stardew Valley lies in its well-crafted characters, each with their own quirks and heartfelt storylines. So I'm not sure what to make of this mod that lets you replace the carefully crafted characters in the game with AI-controlled people.
The use of AI in mods has been on the rise, particularly as voice actors fight back against the misuse of their work. But it can also have negative impacts, as developers shift work and cost onto the shoulders of workers in less affluent countries. And while AI can have positive applications, I have to say that tampering with an intentional game world like Stardew Valley feels questionable.
I get that we live in an increasingly digital world and AI can have positive applications. I'm also not saying that more games shouldn't be designed with AI from the beginning. But when I'm playing a game that was clearly intended with a particular story in mind, it feels invasive and almost like a violation to use AI to manipulate that story.
I'm not saying I wouldn't talk to one of the Stardew Valley characters if I could. I'd have a lot of questions, like why they don't remember me, and why they don't seem to have any real personality. But spending endless hours talking to AI-controlled characters with no meaningful purpose doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather read about what's going on in the town than live it.
Check out our list of the best Stardew Valley mods for the farming game.
