In the world of gaming, innovation and advancement are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Today, a web3 social simulation game, has recently secured a $5 million seed funding round to further develop its generative AI-powered intelligent NPCs and no-code creator tools. The funding round was led by Sfermion and Big Brain, with several other notable investors participating.
Today sets itself apart from other social simulation games by focusing on the development of its Residents, the non-playable characters (NPCs) that players interact with. While games like The Sims and Animal Crossing have laid the foundation for this genre, Today aims to take it a step further. Instead of relying on preprogrammed responses, Today’s Residents use generative AI to replicate real-world conversations. This advanced technology allows for unparalleled depth and responsiveness, enhancing the player’s immersion in the game.
But Today’s innovation doesn’t stop there. The company plans to leverage these emergent interactions with Residents to elevate its storytelling. Each Resident is imbued with a unique personality that evolves over time, creating a dynamic narrative experience for players. The team behind Today includes industry veterans from companies like Nintendo, SEGA, Epic Games, and Unity, as well as individuals with Oscar-winning storytelling experience.
Storytelling is at the heart of Today’s vision. Benjamin Cleary, co-founder and creative director of Today and an Oscar winner himself, emphasizes the importance of crafting emotionally resonant gameplay that fosters genuine connections between players and characters. As players build their islands using generative AI, they become deeply immersed in a narrative that evolves alongside them.
In addition to its generative AI NPCs, Today plans to utilize web3 and no-code technology to revolutionize the social sim genre. The company’s no-code creator tools empower players to unleash their creativity as they build their own islands and in-game assets. What sets Today apart is that players will own everything they create or purchase within the game, giving them a sense of ownership and control.
Furthermore, Today is embracing the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to deliver exclusive content to its fans. Seed NFTs will unlock unique worlds for players to explore, with the rarity of each seed determining various aspects of the island and the traits of the Residents. Additionally, these NFTs will offer eligibility for future brand partnerships, goodies, and extras. The company will be launching its Ancient Seeds collection on April 9, which will unlock exclusive in-game content.
The gaming industry is constantly evolving, incorporating elements of crypto and AI to enhance realism, immersion, and emotional connections. Sam Kim, General Partner at Big Brain, expresses excitement about the transformative potential of Today’s vision. By pushing the boundaries of traditional gaming and creating a community-driven experience, Today is at the forefront of this evolution.
Although Today’s alpha launch is set for early 2025, interested players can participate in periodic play tests through the game’s Discord channel until then. This gives players a taste of what to expect from this groundbreaking social simulation game.
In conclusion, Today’s $5 million seed funding round marks an important milestone in the development of web3 social simulation games. With its generative AI-powered NPCs, no-code creator tools, and integration of NFTs, Today is poised to redefine the genre and provide players with an immersive and unique gaming experience. As the industry continues to mature, it is exciting to see how the combination of crypto and AI will shape the future of gaming.
