In a bold move forward for AI gaming (artificial intelligence), ArenaX Labs, the brains behind AI Arena, has raised an impressive $6 million. This funding, led by Framework Ventures, aims to fuse AI with gaming, sparking a new era of player engagement.
ArenaX Labs, founded in 2018 by Brandon Da Silva, Dylan Pereira, and Wei Xie, initially focused on indie games. Their journey took a turn in 2020 with the discovery of NFTs, leading to the novel concept of AI Arena. This platform fighter game blends gaming, AI, and NFTs, reshaping player interaction with emerging tech.
AI Arena is a title akin to the popular Super Smash Bros but with a Web3 twist. It allows players to buy, train, and compete with AI-powered NFT fighters. The goal? To top the global leaderboard, demonstrating AI training prowess while earning in-game tokens, Neurons ($NRN).
What sets the game apart is its use of imitation learning. AI fighters develop skills by mimicking human players, offering a custom and strategic gaming experience. This feature not only enhances gameplay but also serves as a content-creation tool.
One remarkable story from AI Arena's early beta tests is that of Jelo from Anambra, Nigeria. With no prior AI knowledge, Jelo's unique strategies in the game highlighted its potential to bridge gaming, AI education, and talent discovery.
Wei Xie, co-founder of ArenaX Labs, emphasizes their mission to democratize AI. He sees the game as an engaging way to deepen the public's understanding of this technology. Slated for a beta launch, AI Arena invites users to train and compete with their AI fighters.
Michael Anderson of Framework Ventures praised the studio's approach, merging AI education with the universal language of play. Brandon Da Silva, CEO of ArenaX Labs, pointed out the significance of owning one's AI creations, offering a platform for talented researchers to monetize their skills.
With its upcoming launch on the Arbitrum mainnet, AI Arena marks a milestone at the crossroads of AI/ML, Web3, NFTs, gaming, and education. This funding showcases the rising interest in AI's potential, especially in gaming and education.