AI-driven game creation platform TILKI has announced the completion of its €1.8 million pre-seed funding round to assist customers in developing video games without coding experience, with plans to launch a closed beta in six months. The funding round was led by AI-focused fund Twin Path Ventures, with contributions from Atlas AI^VB Fund I, XTX Ventures, and SFC Capital.
“AI isn’t just going to refine the end of the development pipeline with NPC and asset generation. It will initiate the pipeline and evolve throughout, crafting new gaming experiences that adapt to the player,” stated Barn Cleave, Co-founder and CEO of TILKI.
Established in 2024, TILKI enables creators to build immersive games without coding. Unlike games with fixed storylines, TILKI focuses on dynamic experiences where characters independently decide. The aim is to ensure each player choice impacts the game environment, allowing storylines to develop based on player interaction.
TILKI’s team consists of 17 professionals, including game developers, AI researchers, and machine learning engineers, with experience from companies like Atari, Sony, Microsoft, and NVIDIA.
TILKI’s leadership also contributed to creating a user-generated content platform for 14 million players, alongside founding various AI startups.
“The strength of TILKI’s team was pivotal in our investment decision. Their unique mix of experience across gaming, AI, mathematics, and product development was impressive, and we believe it will be key to achieving their vision,” said Nick Slater, Partner at Twin Path Ventures.
TILKI states that every player interaction and choice influences their environment, with the AI-powered model offering possibilities beyond traditional game experiences.
In TILKI games, NPCs can reportedly move autonomously, make decisions with significant consequences, and have lasting impacts on the world, creating dynamic storytelling experiences instead of static, scripted interactions.
For instance, an innkeeper NPC might simply accept payment for a night’s stay. However, they could also incite a rebellion, persuading nearby NPCs to call for uprising, spreading the unrest until the entire town is engulfed in chaos.
“We envision a future where anyone with a game idea can materialize it, crafting experiences that grow and adapt with the players,” Cleave added. “By making game creation accessible, we’re not only transforming game development but also allowing new voices to influence the medium. Through TILKI, we’re empowering the next generation of creators and facilitating a transformation in the $176 billion global games market.”
The funding for TILKI will be used to develop the company’s closed beta, set for launch in six months, and a subsequent open beta planned within a year. Additionally, TILKI plans to build an accessible marketplace for players to share strategies, components, and collaborate on game elements.