The systems and methods are directed towards object driven attributes for characters within a network-based game. More specifically, characters within a network-based game have various attributes that are influenced with the association and/or possession of objects provided by the user. These user-provided objects impact one or more attributes possessed by a character within the network-based game thereby influencing the character's actions, personality and motivations. In other embodiments, the characters within the network-based game communicate with players using a variety of methods such as social media, e-mail and text. The communications provide in-game updates for the player to view. The player can provide natural language commands or responses for the characters that may influence the character's actions within the game.