Fortnite meets Hunger Games: There are no humans in this YouTube reality show

Reality shows rely on genuine emotions and unexpected drama. But can they still captivate audiences when the cast isn't human but entirely simulated by AI? That's the question Tom Paton and his team at AiMation Studios asked themselves when creating Non Player Combat – a fully AI-generated reality show. The entire project was completed by just five people in under two months, with a budget of around $28,000.

The concept: six fully autonomous AI characters battling for survival on a treacherous island. But there's no script – the story unfolds entirely on its own. Each character is shaped by AiMation's proprietary engine, Omnigen-01, which gives them unique psychological profiles, backstories, traumas and motivations. Once the simulation begins, the characters act independently. As Tom Paton puts it, "We created the psychology, not the plot." Even the creators have no idea how each episode will end.

The first episode is already out, introducing the characters and their backstories. Episode two will be released on YouTube on December 15, but it's already available through the AiMation app – currently exclusive to iOS – where episodes premiere a week early. Content-wise, the series has been described as a blend of The Hunger Games and Fortnite: AI characters must survive on a dangerous island, face off against wild animals and decide whether to team up or go it alone.

Returning to the question posed earlier: so far, reality shows without human participants haven't resonated strongly with audiences. At the time of writing, episode one had around 130 likes compared to 550 dislikes. Many viewers criticize the dialogue as stiff, the scenes as unnatural and the overall concept as "soulless". Some even express concern about a future where AI-generated content replaces real creativity, offering only perfectly calculated yet emotionally hollow entertainment. Those with thoughts on the topic are encouraged to share their views in the comments.