Character.AI’s new Books mode turns reading into roleplay

Character.AI, the popular but controversial AI chatbot platform, has launched a new feature called 'Books' in an apparent effort to steer its product toward more structured and potentially safer interactions. The mode allows users to step into over 20 classic public domain stories sourced from Project Gutenberg, including 'Alice in Wonderland,' 'Frankenstein,' and 'The Great Gatsby.' Users can choose to be an existing character or insert a custom persona, playing through the original plot in 'book arc mode' or exploring more freely in 'off-script mode.' The company also teased 'TapTale,' a more guided experience with pre-written prompts, and 'alternative universe remixes' that let users radically reimagine a book's premise.

This strategic pivot comes as Character.AI faces significant legal and public relations challenges, including lawsuits alleging its platforms harmed teens' mental health through unfiltered chat. Last year, the company restricted open-ended chat features for minors and introduced more structured 'Stories.' The new Books mode, available to all users via the mobile app or web-based Labs hub, represents a further step in this direction. While free users get a 'handful of free turns,' the feature aims to broaden the perception of AI roleplay beyond its controversial roots, offering narrative-driven interaction as an alternative to purely social or romantic simulations.