Clout Kitchen announced today that it has raised $4.45 million in a seed round of funding, which it plans to spend on its recent products and creator-powered experiences. The first is Backseat AI, an AI-powered League of Legends companion that the company created with Tyler “Tyler1” Steinkamp – an AI companion that can take on the persona of popular gaming content creators. Clout Kitchen plans to make use of the funds to expand its team and expand its shared internal technology stack.
Backseat AI is a guide developed in accordance with the Riot Games API that provides players with useful suggestions on how one can higher play the game, all voiced by the content creator’s AI voice twin. The product launched in June as a part of early access testing, and the full version costs players $4.99 monthly for each “buddy” of a specific creator they select. These buddies currently include Tyler1 himself, in addition to cosplayer and streamer Emily “Emiru” Schunk, and skilled esports gamer Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski. It is aimed at entry-level and intermediate level players.
GamesBeat spoke with Clout Kitchen CEO Justin Gorriceta-Banusing about Backseat AI and what it means for each players and creators. Banusing said: “Backseat is League’s real-time companion; suggests how to play better and comments on the action with the voice of your favorite creator. We also have visual overlays that include tips, tricks, and stats. Think of it as a friend who cheered us on and helped us get better at your favorite game while we were growing up.”
Playing games with a friend equipped with artificial intelligence
Peak XV’s Surge and a16z Speedrun led the round, with participation from AppWorks, Antler, Hustle Fund, Founders Launchpad, Orvel Ventures and several creators. Jack Soslow, investment partner at a16z Games, said in a statement: “At a16z, we consider in the transformative power of technology and gaming to alter the way we connect, create and experience the world. Clout Kitchen fully embodies this vision, and we’re thrilled to support their journey as they pioneer recent ways for fans to interact with creators and the games they love.
Banusing said the inspiration for Backseat AI got here after Tyler1 became a father because he wanted to search out a solution to sustain with his community without taking time away from his child. “Ultimately, we help solve the problem of scale and creator time. Most creators make money through advertising, content subscriptions (like Patreon, which expects content to be published), and brand deals. They take time and are not necessarily always consistent with the interests and style of the creator (and his community). With AI Buddies, we can provide every community member with the opportunity to interact with their favorite creator – all without taking up the creator’s valuable time.”
Banusing also added that Clout Kitchen desires to expand to other titles and collaborations with other creators: “As we grow, we want to create more apps like this for other games and industries – including your favorite creators as trusted buddies for everything you need love it to do. We explore games like World of Warcraft as well as non-gaming use cases like fitness. As we say internally “”all of your favorite games, all of your favorite people”.”