Spectarium nets €5M to build action RPG powered by TikTok-esque algorithm

gamedeveloper.com:

Finnish studio Spectarium has secured €5 million ($5.3 million) to create an AI-powered cross-platform action RPG called Myths, which it claims will use a TikTok-esque algorithm to serve tailor-made content to players.

The funding round was led by Bitkraft Ventures and will allow Spectarium to continue developing Myths ahead of a proposed soft launch in 2024.

Spectarium was established almost a decade ago and has amassed a team of developers with experience working at major studios like EA, Epic Games, Riot Games, and Square Enix.

"Eight years ago, the Spectarium core team came together with a shared mission: to create a game envisioned by our community," said company CEO Romain Schneider. "While we remain community-centric, the studio has evolved and is committed to developing cross-platform, mass-market games that captivate gamers worldwide. By merging standout visuals with generated content, we aim to craft unique and endless gameplay experiences."

Myths is pitched as a cross-platform action RPG that facilitates "endless gameplay" thanks to an AI-powered game engine that "tailors gameplay activities and the proprietary Mythological theme IP to match the preferences of each individual player."

For example, a press release suggests that one player's journey might revolve around fighting bosses within Valhalla, while another could embark on a quest that takes them through a Mayan temple.

"Similar to the TikTok algorithm, the Spectarium game engine intuitively aligns gameplay experiences and thematic elements with the specific preferences of players, essentially making every game unique and personalized," adds the release, which explains the engine's AI system "serves as the narrative backbone" for the title's various