Microdramas are thriving, and Character.AI is transforming it into a mutual obsession.

      Watch an AI microdrama, then interrogate the characters yourself

      Character.AI

      Microdramas have already made their mark on the small vertical screen. Character.AI aims to enhance the experience even further. The chatbot platform has introduced c.ai Series, a set of original, mobile-oriented microdramas crafted by its in-house studio. Each show features short vertical episodes, but viewing is just part of the experience. After watching, viewers can engage in direct chats with the characters, revisit story moments, delve into relationships, or embark on completely new storylines.

      This is the latest effort to merge streaming with audience engagement. Netflix has recently taken a different approach with Unhinged, a horror game that transforms a viewer’s phone into a controller, allowing calls during gameplay. In contrast, Character.AI is embedding interactivity within the narrative by keeping characters accessible long after an episode concludes.

      Character.AI

      Drama over? Just message the cast

      The initial selection includes three shows. "Last Summer" is an anime romance centered around memories and secret admirers, while "The Nighttime Game" involves friends trapped in a lethal supernatural card game. "Eden Fall" immerses elite players in a virtual contest where dying in the game equates to dying in real life.

      Each series comprises 10 episodes, each lasting under two minutes. The first eight episodes are free, but the last two are behind a paywall. The shows can be accessed through a new entertainment tab in Character.AI's mobile app, alongside the company’s existing audio dramas.

      Currently, post-episode chats are limited to users over 18. Each episode is said to utilize its own specialized language model that can only reference information already shown onscreen, minimizing the risk of an overly eager chatbot revealing future plot twists.

      Character.AI

      AI created the shows, yet humans remain involved

      Character.AI states that the series was developed by a human-led studio team with experience from Netflix, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, and Blumhouse. Writers crafted the scripts and detailed story bibles before the company's proprietary AI pipeline produced visuals and audio for traditional editing and post-production.

      The outcome is an almost entirely AI-generated animated production, contrasting with the low-budget live-action soap operas often associated with apps like ReelShort and DramaBox. Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand informed The Verge that the company intentionally avoided hastily releasing what he described as “video slop,” although initial feedback still mentioned some awkward expressions and clunky dialogue.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience focused on consumer hardware.

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      Producer Aaron B. Koontz discusses adapting The Mandela Catalogue with Alex Kister and Steven Spielberg

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      Netflix has spent years trying to evolve beyond just a place to watch films and TV shows. After trying everything from interactive games to live sports, it's now taking inspiration from YouTube to give viewers another reason to stay engaged.

      Vogue, Variety, and BuzzFeed heading to Netflix

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