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Google puts $1M into 3D design app Rooms after more than 1 million 'rooms' created | TechCrunch

Jan 07, 2025 - techcrunch.com
Rooms, a 3D design app created by ex-Google employees, has secured $1 million in funding from Google as part of a partnership that grants early access to Google’s Gemini AI. Launched in 2023, the app allows users to create interactive 3D rooms and mini-games using a library of over 10,000 items, with further customization possible through the Lua programming language. The app, which offers a TikTok-like browsing experience, has seen users evolve from building simple spaces to larger, story-driven environments. Rooms recently updated to version 3.0, introducing an Actions editor for non-coding room animations, and plans to integrate Gemini 2.0 Flash for enhanced storytelling features like text-to-speech and character narration.

The company behind Rooms, Things, Inc., has announced over 1 million rooms built on the platform, with its inventory growing to over 10,000 items. Despite not sharing user numbers or engagement metrics, the app had reached a quarter of a million registered users last year. The recent funding, structured as a SAFE, allows Google to invest in Rooms’ Series A round. Previously, Rooms raised $10 million in seed funding from investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Adobe’s Scott Belsky, and Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger. Currently available on the web and iOS, Rooms has yet to introduce monetization.

Key takeaways:

  • 3D design app Rooms, created by ex-Google employees, received $1 million in funding from Google as part of a partnership deal.
  • Rooms allows users to build interactive 3D rooms and mini-games using a library of over 10,000 items and the Lua programming language.
  • The app plans to enhance its features with Google’s Gemini AI, including a text-to-speech mode for storytelling and character narration.
  • Rooms has surpassed 1 million rooms built on the platform and is available on the web and iOS, but has not yet introduced monetization.
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