2026-07-24 · paper-digest
Hsu et al.: LLM-Voiced NPCs Make Players' Heads Heavier -- A 'Double-Edged Sword' Experiment — Fukai Reads
An empirical LLM-NPC paper by Hsu et al. (Communication University of China and others). They built a scripted-NPC version and a GPT-4.1 LLM-NPC version of the same game and ran a between-subjects test with 130 players. LLM-NPCs significantly raised cognitive load (p<.001), did not significantly improve overall enjoyment (p=.195), and increased autonomy while lowering usability and trust.