Kinetix and Overdare Empower Gamers with Innovative Generative AI Tools

Kinetix, a generative AI startup specializing in user-generated emotes (UGE) for video games, has partnered with Overdare, a user-generated content (UGC) platform by South Korean publisher Krafton. This collaboration brings the power of generative AI directly to gamers, enabling them to create unique gaming experiences.

Kinetix's innovative technology integrates seamlessly with Overdare, allowing players to transform videos into dynamic 3D animations or emotes. Gamers can harness current TikTok trends, iconic moments from films, or memorable goal celebrations to enhance their in-game experience. They can also record themselves to generate custom emotes that reflect their individuality.

This partnership significantly enhances user engagement, moving beyond traditional customization to provide players with a fresh avenue for expression within the gaming community.

UGC is a major trend in gaming, propelled by platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, which have democratized game development. However, previous UGC efforts primarily remix existing assets, limiting creativity. Kinetix changes this by empowering all gamers to create entirely new animations using AI, positioning them as active creators rather than mere participants. This shift promises a continuous influx of innovative content for gaming platforms, at minimal cost.

While AI tools have been available to creators in various game development environments, this marks the first time gamers can access generative AI features directly within a game.

Yassine Tahi, CEO of Kinetix, stated, “This is more than just an innovative feature; it’s a transformative approach to gaming. Our technology enables players to generate and customize emotes on the fly, enhancing personalization and social interaction within the gaming community. We look forward to seeing how players in Overdare utilize these tools and intend to expand them to more games in the future.”

Emotes have become integral to gaming, gaining popularity through titles like Fortnite and recent hits such as Helldivers 2. Kinetix has devoted over three years to perfecting its AI emote technology, compatible with any avatar style across various games and apps.

Hyungchul Park, CEO of Overdare, remarked, “We believe Kinetix’s video-to-emote technology will significantly enhance player retention and foster a deeper connection to the Overdare ecosystem. Players can craft personalized emotes for memorable moments, enriching their overall gaming experience. We also anticipate that players will share their creations on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube, driving visibility and engagement for Overdare through viral content.”

Currently, Overdare is in the alpha testing phase on Android across five Southeast Asian markets: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia, with a global launch planned later this year.

Founded in 2020 by Yassine Tahi and Henri Mirande, Kinetix is at the forefront of self-expression in gaming, deploying AI to enable user-generated emotes. By allowing players to create in-game emotes from video content, Kinetix presents new opportunities for user retention and revenue. The Paris-based company has secured $12.5 million in seed funding and boasts a dedicated team of over 40 experts in deep learning, 3D animation, and game development, recognized by Wired as a leading startup in Paris.

Overdare originated from a joint venture between Krafton and Naver Z Corp, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) for development. After its official spin-off from Krafton in December 2023, Overdare is set to launch its creator-centric platform, featuring the Lua-based Overdare Studio, designed for high-quality gaming content creation. With a create-to-earn (C2E) model, Overdare empowers creators to monetize their work, aiming for a full launch by the end of 2024.