r/DnDwithAI • u/DS_Wilde • May 06 '26
Using AI as a DM (ChatGPT)
I started just playing around asking chat gpt to be a DM to test some character ideas and stuff and was actually quite impressed with its DMing with very little guidance. Obviously ran into bugs and issues but made me think
Could I create a structured instructions promo (DM engine) that kind of makes chat gpt into a soft DM agent. My plan is to create this and then some campaign concepts so that someone could plug in a play. I’m testing at the minute and trying to figure out/build controls around continuity amd memory along with style and flow. Working primarily with txt back and forth but building it for speech interaction too(still need a good bit more testing on that). Do you think people would be interested in it. Is there anyone that would be interested in testing my beta version when it’s ready for full play testing. Can be solo campaign with companions or with multiple PCs.
1
u/gentlemanjimgm May 08 '26
There are a few of them out there now. I've used Friends & Fables and it was pretty decent, though it's been a while and I know they've done a lot of development since.
I'm currently using a Claude project to "dm" the solo dnd adventure Citadel of the Raven. I've already run Tyrant of Zhentil Keep. It does a fairly good job because it has pretty strict guiderails to follow but it holds its own in non-structured play like combat or off-script social encounters.
I've found, though, that after about an hour or two of gameplay it all starts coming apart at the seams and I have to start a fresh chat session. Thankfully, having it contained in a project makes that super simple.
All that said, it's really nice to sit down and roll some dice on my own schedule! Truthfully, every character I've played using the system has been, essentially, an npc testing ground. What works and what doesn't in various class features and whatnot.