Summary of Short series app My Drama takes on Character.AI with its new AI companions | TechCrunch

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    My Drama's AI Chatbot Strategy: Engaging with character.ai

    My Drama, a short drama app developed by Ukrainian startup Holywater, is making waves in the short-form entertainment space. The app boasts over a million users and $3 million in revenue since its launch in April. My Drama's key differentiator lies in its use of AI-powered chatbots, offering a unique and engaging experience for viewers.

    • Instead of just watching short dramas, users can now interact with AI characters.
    • The chatbot feature is powered by character.ai technology, creating an immersive storytelling experience.

    Inspired by Quibi's Failure?

    The idea for My Drama's AI-powered chatbots stemmed from the perceived shortcomings of Quibi, a short-form video platform that failed to gain traction. Quibi's downfall was attributed, in part, to the lack of interactivity and engagement. My Drama aims to address this by offering an interactive element with its ai chatbot feature.

    • My Drama's founders believe that AI characters can help foster deeper connections with viewers.
    • They see this as a way to stand out in a crowded short-form entertainment market.

    How My Drama's character.ai Chatbots Work

    My Drama's character.ai chatbots are integrated into both the main app and a standalone app called My Imagination. Users can engage with characters like Jaxon, the billionaire love interest from "The Shy Beauty and the Billionaire Beast," and Hayden, the mafia heir from "Love Captive to a Mafia Boss."

    • After watching a few episodes of a series, users are prompted to chat with the character.
    • The app encourages viewers to build relationships with the characters, earning their trust through interaction.
    • The conversations are tailored to the storylines, with characters asking about events in the series.

    The Gamification Element

    To further incentivize engagement, My Drama has incorporated a gamification element into its character.ai chatbots. A "trust meter" tracks the user's progress in building a relationship with the character.

    • Users can see their current ranking on the trust meter.
    • This motivates viewers to interact with the characters more frequently.
    • It adds a playful aspect to the experience, encouraging users to return for more.

    A Unique Approach to AI in Media

    My Drama's use of AI for storytelling goes beyond just interactive chatbots. The company leverages AI for various aspects of its production pipeline.

    • AI is utilized for scriptwriting, localization, and voice acting.
    • The app's founders highlight the cost savings associated with AI, particularly in visual effects.

    The character.ai Future of My Drama

    My Drama plans to expand its AI features, adding new capabilities to its character.ai chatbots. The company envisions a future where users can co-create storylines with AI characters.

    • The app will eventually allow users to create their own character.ai, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.
    • My Drama will integrate video and voice chat capabilities into its character.ai, offering a more immersive experience.

    AI and Actors: A Complex Relationship

    My Drama's character.ai chatbots are based on the likenesses of real actors. This presents a unique dilemma, as it raises questions about the impact of AI on the acting profession. However, My Drama claims to offer actors a new revenue stream through character.ai.

    • Actors receive compensation for their likeness used in character.ai.
    • They can earn up to $10,000 per month based on user engagement with the character.ai.

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