Genies, a culture-focused avatar technology company, has launched Parties after developing its foundational technology stack since the last fundraise.
Genies equips intellectual property owners and creators with a suite of avatar technology and user-generated content (UGC) tools to co-create and launch their own Parties — gaming platforms driven by AI avatars, user-generated content, and personalized gameplay. Genies raised a whopping $150 million in 2022, and it has been busy ever since.
“The ‘next internet’ is already upon us as the convergence of AI, gaming, and XR become more and more realized – mobile apps will soon start to look like ‘mini Robloxes’ powered by two key defining themes: smart avatars and UGC,” said Akash Nigam, CEO of Genies, in a statement. “Traditional usernames and profiles will transform into smart avatar identities and fans will become co-creators of a brand’s IP through UGC. Our Party tech stack, which enables dynamic identities, UGC, and interoperability, is at the core of the Genies’ mission to power the next layer of the internet.”
Genies’ technology stack focuses on powering dynamic avatars, unlocking a variety of quality user-generated content, and enabling interoperability so that a user can seamlessly travel from one Party to the next.
For IP partners, this technology transforms their online presence into their own Party, unlocking the ability for their audience to build relationships with their Smart Avatars and co-create an infinite supply of UGC games, avatars, fashion, and more, all of which is built around their IP.
“Disney’s $1.5 billion deal with Epic Games is a major indicator of how UGC-driven platforms are becoming a central pillar for brands to engage with their audiences,” said Nigam. “This partnership, along with the growing number of brands activating within platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, signals that more and more IP owners will look to launch their own UGC worlds. Our Party technology stack provides the opportunity to enable limitless creativity and customization for people to unlock this new era of UGC-driven platforms.”
Foundational components that make up a Party
- Bringing IP to Life Through Smart Avatars: Any IP can be transformed into interactive smart avatars powered by AI, giving each character a distinct personality and role as a foundational NPC (non-playable character) within a Party. These smart avatars foster deeper engagement by allowing users to build relationships with them and empowering developers to build personalized experiences with them. With AI capabilities driving their personalities, Genies’ avatars enhance gameplay and make Party apps a personalized, interactive experience.
- Fueled by UGC: User-generated content is at the core of each Party, delivering a continuous influx of new games, avatars, fashion, accessories, props, and more—all created by a community of technical and non-technical users around a brand’s IP. IP owners can let their communities shape the experience and their brand by contributing any content, while they maintain oversight to determine what ultimately gets released. This UGC foundation ensures a constantly evolving, engaging environment for users to contribute and let their imagination run wild.
- Ecosystem-wide interoperability: User avatars are created as a single persistent identity that are not only compatible with all other assets across the ecosystem (fashion, props, etc.), but they also can be seamlessly transported across any game or Party app. Whether you’re in a Party that uses anime style or a Party that uses Pixar-level characters and games, a user’s avatar can be ported between either and will automatically ‘evolve’ to adapt and reflect to those environments. Ultimately, everything works with everything.
- Distribution driven through Genies’ celebrity network To amplify reach and engagement, Genies offers access to its Celebrity Network, enabling IP partners to collaborate with the biggest icons across music, sports, entertainment, and more. By pairing a brand’s Smart Avatars with figures from Genies’ celebrity roster, brands can create opportunities for the community to build games and content around both IPs, bringing together diverse fan bases for an immersive, shared experience.
The tech stack
Parties are made possible by the following foundational technologies, all designed to enable interoperability, limitless customization, and personalized engagement.
Genies’ Avatar Framework leverages machine learning and advanced computer graphics to support highly customizable and compatible avatars, fashion, and props. By utilizing proprietary AutoRigging technology, the framework enables effortless avatar integration across games and Parties, creating a seamless user experience and fueling a thriving UGC ecosystem.
Genies’ avatars are powered by AI, enabling them to evolve as interactive personalities that can communicate and form relationships with users across apps as smart avatars. Through their “Traits Framework,” Genies avatars adapt to user interactions, driving unique and personalized engagement across gaming and social applications.
Genies equips developers with a comprehensive toolkit, allowing them to build and publish unique smart games directly into Party apps. Each game is connected through the Genies Login, expanding the content library and increasing user engagement across Party apps. By fostering a collaborative environment, developers can create immersive, branded experiences that keep users coming back.
For IP partners, these Parties serve as a scalable and customizable solution, enabling them to launch their own interactive ecosystems that seamlessly blend gaming, social interaction, and co-creation from their audience and fans.
The post Genies launches Parties for brands and creators to launch their own ‘AI Roblox’ appeared first on Venture Beat.
