Last year, we unveiled our Traits Framework—a groundbreaking system that brings avatars to life with dynamic, adaptive personalities that evolve alongside the digital worlds they inhabit. Traits enable experiences to adapt around a user’s unique digital identity, which can lead to highly customized and personalized gameplay. We believe avatars should not only mirror who we are but also grow and change with us over time, which can unlock immense potential for developers, IP brand partners, and users alike.

Advancements in AI also opens up exciting possibilities for enhancing the Traits Framework. By analyzing user behavior in real-time, AI can dynamically adjust Traits to reflect subtle shifts in gameplay style or decision-making. For example, an AI system could detect patterns of cautious decision-making and gradually increase the avatar’s Scared Trait while decreasing Brave. Additionally, AI-driven insights could help developers identify trends in user behavior, enabling them to create even more personalized Experiences. With AI, Traits can evolve with unparalleled precision, ensuring that avatars remain authentic and deeply connected to the users they represent.

The Traits Framework is central to our Party ecosystem as it transforms avatars into more than just static representations of a given user — it makes them dynamic reflections of the users themselves. This not only enhances their connection to their avatar but also ensures that every experience feels personal, relevant, and engaging. Over time, across different Parties, Traits will continue to serve as the cornerstone for creating highly adaptive and personalized worlds. 

Refining the Foundation: Trait Updates

While the core principles of the Traits Framework remain intact, the updates we’ve implemented will provide developers with enhanced tools for creating rich, personalized gameplay. These changes are subtle but impactful, focusing on ease of interaction, increased realism, and greater flexibility.

Opposite Traits: A Balanced Perspective

One significant enhancement is the introduction of oppositional Trait pairings. Each Trait now has a natural counterpart to deepen the ways personality can be interpreted and expressed. For example, consider the Brave vs. Scared dynamic:

• Imagine an avatar navigating a dense, monster-filled forest. Successfully fighting monsters might increase the Brave Trait, while avoiding a battle might increment the Scared Trait. However, opting not to open a suspicious chest doesn’t necessarily mean an avatar is Scared—it might simply reflect a decrease in Brave.

This balanced pairing allows developers to design experiences where nuanced behaviors and decisions feel more authentic. By leveraging Trait pairs, you gain the ability to craft gameplay scenarios that respond dynamically to a user’s choices, creating richer and more immersive narratives.

Dynamic Personality Shifts

Traits, like real personalities, aren’t static. They ebb and flow based on behavior and time. To reflect this fluidity, we’ve incorporated a system that tracks gradual Trait evolution. For example:

• A user who frequently engages in cozy, life-simulator games might see their Relaxed Trait grow over weeks or months. If they later dive into strategic games like chess, the Focused Trait might rise while Relaxed slowly decreases.

This system adds depth to an avatar’s personality, ensuring that changes happen organically and provide a meaningful reflection of the user’s journey. The result? Avatars that feel as dynamic and alive as the people behind them.

Simplifying Complexity with Archetypes

To make Traits more accessible for developers, we’ve introduced Archetypes. These are groupings of four Traits that represent dominant personality patterns, simplifying how developers can design personalized experiences. For instance:

• A user whose avatar exhibits dreamy, carefree, messy, and humorous personality traits might align with the "The Artist" Archetype.

• Meanwhile, someone showing reliable, grounded and organized tendencies could fall under the "Parent" Archetype.

By boiling down 32 Traits into 8 Archetypes, we’ve made it easier for developers to target and engage specific personality types without losing the granularity that makes the framework so powerful.

Practical Applications for Developers

Over the past few months, we’ve been updating the Genies SDK to reflect these Trait refinements. Alongside the transition from visual scripting to TypeScript, we’ve streamlined how developers can interact with the Traits Framework, making it easier to build experiences that feel deeply personalized.

Understanding Trait Dynamics

By accessing an avatar’s dominant Traits or Archetypes, developers can tailor gameplay to resonate with individual users. For example:

• A Messy Trait might lead to scattered obstacles in an obstacle course game, adding an extra layer of challenge.

• A Peaceful Trait might trigger serene visual updates, such as calming landscapes or ambient music shifts, to match the avatar’s state.

These personalized touches enhance immersion and allow users to feel truly seen and understood within the game world.

Traits doesn’t just enhance the offering for developers, IP owners and end users also gain more value within the Genies ecosystem. 

User Experience: Adaptive Personalization

Genie Traits offer a profound shift in how users engage with digital platforms. Instead of relying on traditional demographic data like age or nationality, Traits provide a nuanced understanding of user behavior and preferences. For example, in a role-playing game (RPG), the platform can surface adaptive decisions based on evolving user actions. A user might initially be categorized as a “Rebel” due to early choices, but as they continue, the system identifies them as a “Monk” based on later actions. This adaptability enhances the user experience, allowing platforms to recommend more relevant in-game items, such as themed gear or abilities, creating an ecosystem that feels uniquely tailored to each user.

Value for IP and Brand Partners

For IP owners and brand partners, Traits unlock a new dimension of consumer engagement. They provide data-driven insights into how users interact with digital content, informing decisions about the design and distribution of in-game items. For instance, insights may reveal that a user prefers specific avatar accessories or abilities during certain gameplay scenarios, highlighting deeper connections to particular styles or strategies. This understanding could inspire innovative collaborations or themed in-game item packs that enhance the user experience. The ability to capture these subtleties gives brands a competitive edge, allowing them to craft offerings that resonate deeply with their audience.

Join us

As avatars grow more dynamic, they pave the way for deeply personalized and meaningful digital experiences. With our Traits Framework powered by AI, developers gain powerful tools to craft immersive worlds where user’s choices and personalities take center stage.

We’re excited to see how developers and creators bring Traits to life in their creations. If you’re interested in building experiences with our tech stack, learn more here and apply to get early access.