In General XR News
March 22, 2023 – DeepMotion, Inc., a provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered motion generation technology, has recently announced that Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. has decided to invest in DeepMotion under the Bandai Namco Entertainment Startup Investment Fund (Bandai Namco Entertainment 021 Fund).
The fund invests in startups in order to create new entertainment offerings and to build out the Bandai Namco Entertainment ‘IP Metaverse,’ which includes characters and other intellectual properties. On its website, the 021 fund states that its team “seeks to strengthen existing entertainment businesses and to create next-generation entertainment businesses by combining the ideas and technologies of venture companies with our expertise in creating IPs and entertainment, while maximizing IP values.” To realize these goals, the fund is focusing its investments in areas including the metaverse, blockchain technologies, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) and other immersive technologies, the creator economy, AI, and more.
DeepMotion is a San Mateo-based company that specializes in generative AI technologies for digital motion and AI-based animation tools. Founded in 2014, DeepMotion has become a leader in the field of AI motion generation, and works with a wide range of clients in the gaming and animation industries, according to the company.
In a recent interview with GamesBeat, Yoyo Yang, an investment leader for the fund, said: “They [DeepMotion] are doing motion detection and are a pioneer in this kind of technology”. Yang added, “They can help us generate UGC content from our fans and help them connect with our IPs in a better way.”
According to GamesBeat, the fund is targeting a range of investment stages, and is investing about USD $22 million over three years. Average investments range from USD $75,000 to USD $3.75 million.
Through the investment, Bandai Namco Entertainment aims to incorporate DeepMotion’s technology and expertise on AI-based motion generation and create new entertainment experiences using motion intelligence.
DeepMotion stated that the Metaverse represents a new frontier in entertainment, with the potential to create immersive and interactive experiences that transcend traditional video games. With its expertise in AI motion generation, the company believes that it is well-positioned to help Bandai Namco Entertainment realize its vision and purpose of “Fun for All into the Future,” which aims to create new ways to foster deep multifaceted relationships with partners and fans around the world.
“We are thrilled to partner with Bandai Namco Entertainment and bring our AI motion generation technology to the forefront of entertainment,” said Kevin He, CEO of DeepMotion. “Our technology has the potential to unlock new levels of immersion and interactivity in games, and we are excited to collaborate with Bandai Namco Entertainment to create truly groundbreaking experiences for gamers around the world.”
In addition to announcing its investment in DeepMotion, Bandai Namco Entertainment also announced that it has invested in Super Gaming, a developer and publisher of game applications for smartphones, mainly in the Indian market. Super Gaming also develops and provides its own game development engine platform.
For more information on DeepMotion and its AI-powered motion generation solutions for the metaverse, please visit the company’s website.
Image credit: DeepMotion
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About the author
Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.