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Infinite Realms aims to transform popular fantasy literature into immersive game experiences that resonate with die-hard fans.
Unleashed Games, the company seeks to secure licenses from well-known authors and convert their literary worlds into playable games, according to CEO Irena Pereira. This concept parallels scenarios found in Electronic Arts’ latest title, Split Fiction.
Pereira developed this vision alongside chief marketing officer Vanessa Camones during discussions with an experienced venture capitalist. While Unleashed Games will continue its work on a World of Warcraft-inspired fantasy game called Haven, Infinite Realms represents a unique opportunity to merge the imaginative realms of popular authors, the ingenuity of indie game developers (and even players), and the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology.
Originally conceived as the backend engine for Unleashed, Infinite Realms is now branching out into an independent entity.
“Infinite Realms operates as an AI-powered platform capable of transforming book manuscripts into dynamic ecosystems that players can inhabit,” Pereira explained. “We plan to license these intellectual properties to game studios, empowering them to develop their own games based on these rich narratives. It functions as an AI-driven IP licensing engine.”
Tackling Major Challenges in the Gaming Landscape
Pereira emphasized that the company is addressing significant challenges plaguing the gaming industry. High development costs, the risk associated with original intellectual property, and player fatigue over sequels are just a few of the issues. Additionally, platform fees have further eroded potential profits, contributing to layoffs in the sector and dissatisfaction among gamers.
“To remedy this situation, we aim to innovate distribution methods, connecting players directly to the fantasy worlds they adore. While these opportunities may not lure investment from giants like EA or Microsoft due to their limited revenue potential, they are valuable to us because they cater to existing, large audiences,” Pereira stated.
She added, “We are dedicated to linking fans with the authors they admire.”
Many of these authors are close to Pereira and have sold millions of copies, with their works frequently appearing on the New York Times Bestseller lists. Numerous fans have formed lasting attachments to these narratives, considering them integral to their identities.
“The enthusiasts of these books are incredibly passionate and would seize the chance to engage with their favorite stories in a game format,” Pereira remarked. “Our engine can convert these narratives into compelling game experiences and create a virtuous cycle where book lovers engage with our platform, driving greater audiences and ultimately revitalizing book sales for properties that may have been overlooked for decades.”
Breathing New Life into Neglected Universes
Infinite Realms is poised to rejuvenate fan communities and fandoms through innovative gaming approaches. By leveraging AI technology, the company can significantly expedite the game development process while reducing costs through customized large language models (LLMs) designed for each literary universe.
These LLMs can encapsulate the essence of an author’s work, partially owned by both the author and Infinite Realms. This allows for licensing not only to other game developers but also to players wanting to craft their own unique gameplay experiences.
Exploratory tests on the capabilities of small yet efficient LLMs will reveal how much intelligence they can retain while navigating intricate lore. These models will possess not just a wealth of background information but also a functional understanding that enables them to engage in meaningful conversations about the narratives. Fans will contribute to the LLM’s knowledge, enriching the lore further.
“The potential is limitless. The workflows and partnerships established with Unleashed Games to create dynamic worlds will enable us to develop games rapidly—often in as little as six months—because we have already defined the gameplay,” Pereira noted.
She pointed out that in the past, books would be adapted into films or television series, citing iconic adaptations like Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time.
“With Infinite Realms, we are crafting AI-powered worlds that allow players to step into and interact with characters they cherished during their youth,” Pereira concluded. “This initiative is what we refer to as the Netflix of interactive worlds.”
As a relevant example, the owners of the Wheel of Time series have embedded all 14 books into an LLM, which can facilitate user-generated content and provide comprehensive lore-based answers for fans, acting as a safeguarding mechanism for canonical integrity during the creation of new experiences.
Player-generated content can range from simple ambient videos to fully-fledged games, encompassing a wide spectrum of creative possibilities.
“We envision scaling this concept as there are countless other properties to explore, positioning us as a digital bookshelf,” Pereira added. “Players will be able to traverse different worlds seamlessly, and we will invite them to collect these books while reshaping ourselves into a digital publisher—we’ll take these established properties and use them as the foundation for our transmedia strategies.”
Upholding Intellectual Property Rights
All initiatives will be executed with the authors’ consent, ensuring that the LLMs maintain the integrity of the original works. The company recognizes that franchises like J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings dominate the fantasy genre, but there are also smaller yet equally beloved works, such as Terry Brooks’ The Sword of Shannara, which boasts a dedicated fanbase of around 40 million.
“We essentially position ourselves as a digital publisher,” Pereira remarked. “Our insights will help enhance our marketing strategy and inform our decisions on new IP acquisitions.”
She also stated, “This model presents an excellent opportunity to reinvigorate the book publishing sector.”
Pereira is currently pursuing funding to build momentum with various fantasy authors.
Unleashed Games plans to seek independent financing for Haven, while Infinite Realms will expand its own operations. The technologies they utilize may overlap, but each company will maintain its distinct identity. Infinite Realms consists of a team of 18 individuals and collaborates with AI developers.
To gauge market interest, Infinite Realms is implementing strategies to test various IPs with fans.
“My experience with IP holders reveals that they are eager to partner with game studios but are often hesitant to fund game development,” Pereira remarked.
Simultaneously, she emphasized, “We’re working on rethinking how we approach AI to ensure it upholds copyright protections and respects the intellectual creators’ intentions.”
Source
venturebeat.com