The Convergence of AI and Crypto: Ultiverse’s AI-Powered Crypto Game Production
Prior to the world's fixation on artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency was the favored choice for many investors, until the advancements of generative AI. Therefore,
In the world of gaming startups, ENBLE is determined to prove that combining AI and crypto is more than just a passing trend.
📢 Before artificial intelligence (AI) hogged the limelight, cryptocurrency was the superstar of investors. But when venture capital firms started shifting their focus between AI and crypto, skeptics scorned their opportunism (and possibly shed a tear for their lost riches). However, a wave of entrepreneurs emerged as fervent advocates for the convergence of AI and crypto, with Vitalik Buterin, the core founder of Ethereum, even musing about the possibilities in a tweet that sparked enthusiasm among his Twitter followers 🙌. So, is the combination of AI and crypto just a passing fad? A startup called Ultiverse doesn’t think so.
Ultiverse: Where AI Meets Crypto
Based in Singapore, Ultiverse is proudly calling itself an “AI-powered” platform for crypto game production and publishing. 🚀 And it’s not all talk—they’ve managed to secure a $4 million strategic funding round led by IDG Capital, a venture capital firm known for backing Chinese tech giants like Tencent and Baidu, as well as crypto pioneers Coinbase and Circle.
Accelerating Production and User Adoption
But how does Ultiverse actually incorporate AI into its crypto-verse? In an enlightening interview with Co-founder Jimmy Liu, we got a glimpse into their innovative approach. Instead of building AI models from scratch, Ultiverse leverages existing large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4, Llama, and Stable Diffusion to train their in-game non-player characters (NPCs). This means that each player will have a different experience depending on their interactions with the NPCs. And, get this—players can even create their own AI agents to act on their behalf 🤖. Talk about personalized gaming experiences!
Liu claims that this AI integration has significantly reduced production time and costs. What used to take days or even weeks with multiple dedicated individuals can now be accomplished with a few AI-powered clicks. It’s like replacing a team of human writers with a horde of tireless word-generating monkeys 🐒. Kudos to Ultiverse for staying on the cutting edge!
Shrugging Off the Competition
But let’s face it—other game studios can use LLMs in a similar fashion. So is AI truly Ultiverse’s ultimate competitive advantage? Not quite. While game studios have been embracing generative AI in areas like creating art assets, building level segments, and devising game models for other developers, Ultiverse has a unique selling point that sets them apart ⭐️.
The Tangible Value Dilemma
In the world of crypto games, there’s an ongoing debate about whether these games truly generate tangible value for users or if they exist primarily to profit from players. After all, the industry’s reputation has been tarnished by “play-to-earn” titles like Axie Infinity, which some liken to pyramid schemes. 😬
Ultiverse’s Track Record
Despite this debate, Ultiverse has already published three games, including a mobile cricket game that boasts an impressive 200,000 unique active wallet addresses, mostly from India and Pakistan where cricket is a religion. As of December, Ultiverse has amassed a staggering 7.3 million registered users across all its games, with an average of 830,000 monthly active users.
Mass Adoption Made Easy
One secret to Ultiverse’s success lies in its seamless user experience. Utilizing a crypto wallet feature known as “account abstraction,” they’ve managed to attract non-crypto users who never owned a wallet before. These users find themselves plunged into the world of crypto when they need to withdraw their rewards. It’s kind of like going through an innocent-looking door in a video game, only to realize you’ve been sucked into a parallel universe where crypto reigns supreme! 😮
The Investors’ Perspective
IDG Capital, the leading force behind Ultiverse’s recent funding round, believes in the startup’s potential to revolutionize the industry. They’ve previously invested in major crypto projects like Ripple, ImToken, and KuCoin, so they clearly have an eye for winners. In fact, an IDG Capital spokesperson declared, “Ultiverse stands as an AI-powered, one-stop solution for web3 gaming production and publishing, poised to revolutionize the industry.” High praise indeed! 🏆
The Future of AI and Crypto Games
So, what does the future hold for the convergence of AI and crypto in the gaming industry? Only time will tell. But one thing is for certain—Ultiverse has shown us that the marriage of AI and crypto is not just a fleeting trend. It has the potential to transform the gaming landscape and unlock exciting possibilities for players worldwide.
Q&A
Q: How does Ultiverse use AI in its crypto game production? A: Ultiverse leverages existing large language models (LLMs) to train in-game non-player characters (NPCs) and create personalized gaming experiences for players.
Q: What sets Ultiverse apart from other game studios using AI? A: Ultiverse’s unique selling point lies in their seamless user experience and ability to onboard non-crypto users through their mobile cricket game.
Q: Are crypto games like Ultiverse’s cricket game considered pyramid schemes? A: There’s an ongoing debate about the tangible value generated by crypto games, with some critics comparing certain titles to pyramid schemes.
Q: How successful has Ultiverse been so far? A: Ultiverse has published three games and boasts a rich user base, including 7.3 million registered users and an average of 830,000 monthly active users.
🌐 Relevant Links
- Vitalik Buterin’s article on AI + Crypto
- Generative AI in gaming: making art assets
- Building level segments with generative AI
- Devising game models for developers using generative AI
- Axie Infinity: the play-to-earn phenomenon
- The future of blockchain games
- Account abstraction feature in crypto wallets
📣 If you’re ready to dive into an AI-powered crypto gaming adventure, Ultiverse is your one-stop shop. Share this article and spread the word about this exciting convergence of AI and crypto in the gaming industry. Happy gaming, everyone! 🎮✨
