TLDR:
- Character.AI now allows users to create videos using photos and custom voices.
- New tools like AvatarFX, Scenes, and Streams expand storytelling possibilities.
- User creativity is at the center of the platform’s multi-modal transformation.
- AI-generated content can now be shared across a redesigned community feed.
Character.AI has rolled out a major update that takes its once text-only chat experience into the world of multimedia storytelling. As per a June 2 announcement , at the heart of this shift is AvatarFX, a tool that lets users animate characters in video using a single photo, personalized voice, and written dialogue.
AI Video Generation.
Whether users choose to upload their own photo or select a preset image, AvatarFX transforms static visuals into speaking, emotive characters with astonishing realism. Users can even fine-tune the voice with their own audio files, offering precise control over tone and delivery.
Notably, the tool was gradually released in May and is now fully accessible. It currently allows users to generate up to five videos a day. However, Character.AI has placed firm limits on impersonation, ensuring uploaded photos that closely resemble real people are automatically altered to protect individual identities.
📽️Say hello to AvatarFX — our cutting-edge video generation model. Cinematic. Expressive. Mind-blowing. Dive in: https://t.co/aF5zDrKLIK #CharacterAI #AvatarFX pic.twitter.com/Rkqo4SXEgX
— Character.AI (@character_ai) April 22, 2025
Community Driven Release
Character.AI’s leadership says the update is a direct response to its creator community, which has been asking for deeper tools to build emotional and expressive digital experiences. Since its inception, the platform has hosted millions of characters, each with unique personalities crafted by users. These characters could once only interact through text. Now, thanks to this update, they can speak, emote, and perform within video content, taking immersion to a new level.
Scenes and Streams are two other features that extend this vision. Scenes allow users to embed their characters into short story-driven episodes, continuing narratives started by others. Meanwhile, Streams lets two characters improvise a dynamic exchange around a topic chosen by the user. It places the user in the director’s chair, guiding the setting but letting the characters take control from there.
Making Video Creativity Social Again
The update isn’t just about more ways to create. It’s also about how content is discovered and shared. A redesigned community feed is launching to bring new formats including AvatarFX videos, Scenes, Streams, and morem into one scrollable, mobile-first space. This creates a social layer atop the platform where creators can grow their audiences and connect with others through shared experiences. According to Character.AI, this new front page will become a vibrant space for discovering both top creators and hidden gems.
In addition, creators can now redesign their profiles into media-rich showcases, helping them better present their characters, projects, and stories. This signals a clear shift from a chat app to a creator-first ecosystem, with tools and spaces designed to foster growth and visibility.
Not Just for the Pros
While some features like animated chats are currently reserved for premium users, most of the update is accessible to all. Even newcomers can quickly start crafting character videos and stories without technical experience. This democratizes content creation, allowing anyone with an idea to experiment with AI-driven storytelling.
That said, Character.AI’s transformation into a multi-modal creative studio highlights a broader trend in generative AI, moving beyond novelty to empower everyday users with powerful, intuitive tools. Notably, last July Meta also began adding AI characters created by creators using AI Studio to Instagram
