Starting Wednesday and running through July 1, the beta pairs each player with an AI character named Ella for two-person matches on the Sanhok map, where users issue voice commands to move, gather items and plot tactics alongside the bot.
The mode supports Korean, Chinese and English voice interaction and is open to players worldwide.
Ella runs on PUBG Ally, a system Krafton describes as a Co-Playable Character, distinct from conventional scripted NPCs. Powered by an on-device small language model based on Nvidia's ACE technology, the character interprets spoken orders and shifting in-game conditions, drawing on speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools to respond in real time rather than reacting to fixed triggers.
The company said the AI moves swiftly in moments demanding instant reaction, such as repositioning or grabbing loot, while weighing context and conversation when tactics call for judgment.
"Through this beta service, we are presenting a new form of play that Ella and users create together," said Lee Kang-wook, Krafton's chief AI officer, adding the firm would press ahead with innovation in AI-driven game experiences based on user feedback.
Krafton, which unveiled four versions of its multimodal AI model "Raon" in April, said it plans to fine-tune those models for individual titles, sharpening its push to fold AI into gameplay across its lineup.
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