Senpai.gg - AI-Powered Video Game Coaching

The Performance Gap in Online Gaming

A significant disparity often exists between competent and highly skilled players in popular online video games. While a casual gamer can compete effectively amongst peers, a proficient player can easily dominate, seemingly operating under a different set of rules.

SenpAI.GG, a company emerging from Y Combinator, proposes that an AI-powered voice assistant could potentially narrow this gap, even if only slightly.

The Importance of Information

Much of the difference in skill level stems from practice, developed muscle memory, and inherent aptitude. However, as games evolve in complexity and popularity, top players accumulate a crucial resource – information.

What firearms inflict the greatest damage at a specific distance? Which character provides the optimal counter to another on a given map? What alterations were introduced in the recent update that appeared during game launch? Why has a previously reliable weapon become more difficult to manage?

Keeping abreast of this constantly changing information, as players discover new strategies and updates redefine the “meta,” presents a considerable challenge. It typically necessitates extensive viewing of Twitch streams, thorough exploration of Reddit discussions, and meticulous review of patch notes.

SenpAI.GG: An AI Gaming Companion

SenpAI.GG aims to automate the surfacing of this information, accelerating the learning process for new players. Their desktop client delivers relevant insights, post-game analysis of strategies, and real-time audio cues for areas where improvement is needed.

Currently, the platform supports League of Legends, Valorant, and Teamfight Tactics, with the provided information tailored to each game. For instance, in League of Legends, the system suggests champions that could provide a strategic advantage. In Valorant, it offers audio alerts when a teammate’s health is low, when a reload is needed, or regarding the remaining time on the Spike.

Maintaining Fair Play

The company is keenly aware of the delicate balance between providing assistance and enabling cheating. SenpAI.GG adheres to specific guidelines to ensure compliance and prevent player bans.

The system will not take actions on a player’s behalf; it may suggest healing a teammate, but it won’t execute the action. Insights are generated solely from information visible on the user’s screen, avoiding access to hidden game processes. It will not reveal enemy positions based on information from other users of the application. The intention is to emulate a knowledgeable player offering advice, not to provide unfair advantages like wall hacks.

SenpAI.GG emphasizes adherence to each game developer’s competitive fairness guidelines and utilizes only approved APIs.

A Sustainable Model

This concept possesses enduring appeal. Each new game supported expands the potential user base. Moreover, the need for up-to-date information doesn’t diminish over time; a game’s knowledge base tends to grow more complex with age and subsequent updates.

Many players would benefit from an assistant that alerts them to changes in weapon recoil or other game mechanics after an update. While SenpAI.GG is still evolving, it has significant potential for expansion.

Current Status and Future Plans

According to founder Olcay Yilmazcoban, the platform currently boasts over 400,000 active users, supported by a team of 11 individuals. The base application is available for free, with plans to introduce advanced features through a subscription model costing a few dollars per month.

The core application is freely accessible, while premium features will be offered via a monthly subscription.