Iconic raises $13M seed to build AI-native, voice-driven games on device
Iconic, an AI-native platform company, has secured $13 million in a seed round co-led by Kindred and Northzone, signaling a significant investment in voice-driven, AI-enhanced gaming. This funding reflects growing interest in innovative gaming experiences and on-device AI technology, potentially challenging existing industry norms. The company aims to redefine player interaction within games. The funding round brought together top AI, gaming, and system engineering leaders from Google, Meta, Disney, DeepMind, and OpenAI. Iconic, founded in 2023, is developing on-device AI technology to deliver intelligence, agency, and personalization to players. Their initial product, "The Oversight Bureau," a voice-driven narrative puzzle game, allows players to shape the game world with their words, demonstrating its innovative approach. This technology allows game studios to build new genres while reducing development costs by eliminating the need for constant internet connectivity. The reliance on on-device AI also addresses privacy concerns, while still providing immersive and responsive gameplay. This approach could significantly impact the gaming industry, affecting both developers and players by offering new interactive possibilities.
Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.
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