Google has invested $1 million USD in Rooms, a 3D design app developed by Things, Inc., a startup founded by ex-Google employees.
Launched in beta in 2023, Rooms enables users to create and code interactive 3D spaces and mini-games using a library of over 10,000 customizable items, powered by the Lua programming language.
A Platform for Creativity and Storytelling
Rooms combines creative expression and coding education, offering a TikTok-like interface for browsing user-generated 3D spaces. What began with simple rooms and games has evolved into a platform for storytelling, with creators building increasingly complex spaces featuring animation and interactivity.
- Example: A user named “eodqueen” transitioned from crafting basic rooms to creating large, interactive spaces with animations.
The app introduced version 3.0 in November 2024, featuring an Actions editor for animating rooms without coding. The platform plans to leverage Google’s Gemini AI for enhancements, including text-to-speech capabilities, allowing characters to speak in customizable tones like calm, happy, or enthusiastic.s.
Advertisement
Key Milestones and Growth
- Surpassed 1 million rooms created on the platform.
- Expanded its inventory from 7,500 to over 10,000 digital items in 2024.
- Grew to 250,000 registered users, though current engagement metrics remain undisclosed.
Google’s Strategic Partnership
The funding from Google, structured as a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity), secures the company’s position for a follow-on investment in the app company anticipated Series A round. This follows a $10 million seed round with backing from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Adobe’s Scott Belsky, and Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger.
Expanding Features and Accessibility
The App is available on the web and iOS, with plans to introduce monetization in future updates. The integration of Gemini AI positions the startup as a leader in blending 3D design and AI-driven storytelling, aiming to make the platform a cornerstone of digital creativity.
This investment underscores Google’s commitment to innovative tools that foster creativity, coding, and user-generated content in the evolving 3D and gaming ecosystem.
