Key Takeaways
- A new startup, Upheaval Games, launched the Dreamer Portal, an AI tool for game creation.
- Users can create 3D characters, worlds, and game mechanics using just voice or text prompts.
- The platform aims to simplify game development, requiring no coding experience.
- Behind Dreamer is a more advanced system called Nexus, using AI agents (smart NPCs) to automate development tasks.
- The goal is to enable dynamic, evolving game worlds and potentially impact fields beyond gaming.
Upheaval Games, a new company founded by experienced developers from studios like Blizzard and Tencent, has opened early access to its Dreamer Portal platform.
This platform uses artificial intelligence to let anyone create fully animated 3D characters, game worlds, and even game rules simply by describing what they want using text or their voice. Think of it as a creative sandbox powered by AI.
While Dreamer is the user-friendly entry point, it’s part of a larger effort to fundamentally change how games are made. Co-founder Twain Martin, a veteran of major studios, mentioned they’re exploring what happens when AI handles the complex parts of development.
The core technology is called Nexus, a backend system designed to manage AI-driven characters, often called agents. These aren’t your typical game NPCs; they have memory, goals, and can act autonomously.
According to Forbes, these AI agents can interact with players, build game environments, and even test game changes automatically, all responding to natural language instructions.
Aaron Moon, Head of Product, explained you can simply tell these agents what job to do. This could eliminate the need for large quality assurance teams, as the AI manages game logic in real-time.
The Nexus platform connects with popular game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine. It generates ready-to-use 3D assets stored online, supporting character creation, dialogue, crafting, and environmental logic.
Upheaval envisions games that constantly evolve. Martin described the idea of a “Forever MMO,” where characters age, learn, and adapt based on events, creating a truly persistent and dynamic world driven by AI agents.
The Dreamer Portal, available now for free early access, brings together various AI services, making it easier for creators to experiment without getting overwhelmed. The company also plans a marketplace for creators to sell their AI-powered games and assets.
The potential applications reach beyond entertainment. Moon suggests the same AI could power complex simulations for scientists or educators, helping discover patterns in large datasets.
However, the team acknowledges the potential disruption to the gaming industry. While some jobs might be affected, they believe AI tools like Dreamer will ultimately empower more people to become creators, similar to how visual web editors or smartphone cameras expanded access to design and photography.
Upheaval is betting that the future of game development lies with autonomous AI agents, creating worlds that can essentially build and manage themselves.
