Saga CEO Rebecca Liao Explores AI Agents for Mobile Game Engagement
Rebecca Liao, co-founder and CEO of Saga, discussed the role of AI agents in enhancing mobile game retention during a recent event at GDC. The company showcased AI-driven characters and partnerships with major IPs.
Rebecca Liao, co-founder and CEO of Saga, recently hosted the Sidekick event at GDC 2025, where she unveiled the company's latest advancements in AI agents for gaming. Saga, primarily known as a blockchain protocol, is now leveraging AI to enhance user acquisition (UA) and retention in mobile games.
Key Announcements
- AI-Powered Game Characters: Saga introduced AI agents for existing games, including Titanus from Hero Hunters, marking the first mobile game character to become an interactive AI agent.
- Partnerships: Collaborations with major IPs like Disney XD Latam (Karl) and OV Entertainment (Shalune from Metaphora) were announced.
- AI Mods Platform: A new platform compatible with games like Fortnite, Elden Ring, and Minecraft was revealed, featuring AI-generated in-game assets.
Titanus, a character from Hero Hunters, is now an interactive AI agent.
How AI Agents Work
AI agents are autonomous programs that can perceive their environment, make decisions, and interact with players. Unlike traditional NPCs, these agents evolve over time, learning from player interactions and game lore. For example, Titanus was trained on Hero Hunters' gameplay and lore, making its interactions feel natural.
"This is not a chatbot! This can think for itself," said Liao. "It’s been trained on the gameplay and the lore of the character, but so much of the interaction feels natural because it’s absorbing conversations it’s had with the fans."
Business Benefits
Liao emphasized the cost-effectiveness of AI agents compared to traditional marketing campaigns:
- Cheaper UA: AI agents reduce the need for expensive ad campaigns on platforms like Meta and TikTok.
- Improved Retention: Blockchain-powered games using Saga's infrastructure have shown higher retention rates, with players staying engaged for 3-6 months.
Rebecca Liao presenting at the Sidekick event.
Challenges and Future Plans
While AI agents offer exciting possibilities, maintaining brand consistency is a challenge. Liao acknowledged that agents like Titanus can sometimes surprise developers with unexpected behavior, but this is part of their evolving nature.
Saga plans to expand its AI offerings, with more announcements expected before Gamescom. The company aims to scale its technology and onboard additional IPs.
For more insights, check out the full interview on AI Gamechangers or read about Liao's recognition in BlockchainGamer.biz’s Top 31 list.
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About the Author
Dr. Emily Wang
AI Product Strategy Expert
Former Google AI Product Manager with 10 years of experience in AI product development and strategy formulation. Led multiple successful AI products from 0 to 1 development process, now provides product strategy consulting for AI startups while writing AI product analysis articles for various tech media outlets.