NBCUniversal has signed a deal with Dick Wolf-backed Wolf Games to develop interactive video games based on Wolf Entertainment IP and others using its proprietary AI-powered game engine.
Founded by Elliot Wolf, Andrew Adashek, and Noah Rosenberg, Wolf Games just closed a $9 million Series A funding round led by Main Street Advisors. The round includes investments from Maverick Carter and Tom Werner, artist Rashid Johnson, and returning investors Dick Wolf, Jimmy Iovine, and Paul Wachter.
The company said its “focus on the use of ethical generative AI was a key driver of the partnership” with NBCUniversal.
Wolf Games describes itself as different from “other AI content tools” because it is not “focused on reinventing traditional TV and film production,” but instead is “designed to enhance the narrative game creation process and become a true creative partner with a deep understanding of story logic, character integrity, and world-building.”
On Tuesday, Wolf Games unveiled its new game “Clue Hunter” on WolfGames.net and confirmed that its first game universe, “Public Eye,” will be available as a beta test later this year, followed by a full-scale release.
According to the game’s description, in “Public Eye,” “players take on the role of detectives in a modern world of crime, secrets, and betrayal, collaborating with law enforcement’s sharpest minds to test their instincts and uncover the truth. The Public Eye slate of daily games features immersive storytelling tailored to the player’s choices. Sign up at WolfGames.net to be the first to experience it.”
“Generative AI is breaking new ground in entertainment,” said Elliot Wolf, chief creative officer and co-founder of Wolf Games. “Wolf Games’ platform is designed to generate a living, cinematic game universe that creates new forms of everyday play with world-class storytelling at its core. Our partnership with NBCUniversal unlocks the ability to expand our beloved IP through this model, giving fans new ways to connect with the stories they love.”
“We are excited to partner with Wolf Games, an innovative company that values storytellers and is deeply rooted in traditional creative and production processes,” Lindsey Vogelman, NBCUniversal’s senior vice president of strategic partnerships and partner marketing, said in a joint statement. “Wolf Games combines human creativity with cutting-edge AI technology to create unique gaming experiences. We look forward to exploring ways to use this technology to build experiences for fans of our beloved IP.”
Tom Werner, chairman of Fenway Sports Group and co-founder of The Carsey-Werner Company, a new investor in Wolf Games, said: “Wolf Games is reimagining the possibilities of interactive entertainment by using cutting-edge creative tools to do what matters most: great writing and storytelling. The company is helping define the next generation of media by putting fans and communities at the center of the stories. Wolf Games I am excited to support the team and their future endeavors.”