Koei Tecmo and developer Gust have announced RyzaChat: Your Midsummer Dream Story with AI Ryza, an "AI chat RPG" set in the universe of the Atelier Ryza series. The mobile game, available on iOS and Android, centers on players engaging in conversations with an artificial intelligence embodiment of the series' protagonist, Ryza.
The gameplay loop begins with players messaging Ryza to help her construct a boat to depart from Kurken Island, which subsequently unlocks a world map. From this point, players will receive AI-generated quests that can be completed through dialogue. The game is described as featuring "exploration, material gathering, combat, synthesis, and construction alongside the full cast of characters from the original Atelier Ryza trilogy." A dedicated Chat Mode will also allow direct conversation with Ryza, who can display various facial expressions and gestures in response to player input.
This initiative stems from Koei Tecmo's partnership with SpiralAI, a Japanese technology startup known for its large language model (LLM) called Geppetto2. SpiralAI has positioned its LLM as a method to "safely deliver Japanese IP to the world." In the context of RyzaChat, the company stated that the game was developed with measures to ensure "responsible use of AI." SpiralAI has committed to not including AI-generated video or images, with all illustrations, character portraits, promotional videos, and key visuals confirmed to be created by human artists. Furthermore, voice synthesis was developed using recordings from Ryza's voice actress, Yuri Nohuchi, and dialogue training was based on the Atelier Ryza series' existing scripts and reference materials. SpiralAI also intends to share revenue from the game with contributors, including illustrators, voice actors, and IP holders, through royalties.
Despite these assurances regarding AI content creation and revenue sharing, the announcement has prompted discussion about potential ethical concerns. Reports have emerged detailing instances of individuals developing obsessive attachments to AI-driven romantic partners, spending significant time communicating with chatbots and experiencing emotional dependency. Given the existing tendency for the Atelier Ryza series to sexualize its protagonist, often noted by fans as "Atelier Thighza," there are fears that RyzaChat could lead some players down a similar path of unhealthy fixation.
Beyond these ethical considerations surrounding the controversial technology, skepticism also exists regarding the quality of AI-chat-focused games. Such titles often lack the narrative direction and guidance characteristic of human storytelling, with AI systems tending to regurgitate reference material rather than craft a coherent plot. Other game companies, including Ubisoft, have previously experimented with similar AI technologies, yielding results that have been met with criticism.