DreamWorld Set to Launch AI-Driven Text-to-3D Asset Playtest on Steam

DreamWorld, a Redwood City-based startup, is set to unveil a new era of gaming technology with its upcoming playtest on Steam. The playtest, scheduled to launch on October 10, will showcase the company's groundbreaking AI text-to-3D asset generation, which allows players to create custom 3D models using text prompts. This innovative feature is part of DreamWorld’s broader vision for its game, DreamWorld: The Infinite Sandbox MMO, and was developed in collaboration with Meshy.

This AI-powered tool aims to give players unprecedented creative freedom, enabling them to design their own in-game assets while utilizing advanced building tools such as copy/paste, volumetric selection, and a fine-tuning HUD. DreamWorld promises faster and more refined construction capabilities than any other current sandbox games. Players will also be able to explore an infinite, procedurally-generated world filled with diverse biomes during the 12-hour test window.

Beyond crafting, the playtest offers the chance to team up with friends, engage in battles against world bosses like Vyne, and participate in crafting, exploration, and combat activities. Access to the playtest will be available in limited batches, starting on October 10, and players can reserve their spot via Steam.

The startup, which has raised $3.2 million from investors such as YCombinator, a16z’s Andrew Chen, and Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin, currently operates with a team of 15 people. Garrison Bellack, DreamWorld’s CEO, shared his inspiration for the game, citing childhood favorites like Minecraft and World of Warcraft as foundational influences. He explained that DreamWorld combines the open-world creativity of Minecraft with the expansive multiplayer capabilities of World of Warcraft.

What makes DreamWorld truly unique, Bellack said, is the integration of powerful AI building tools with one of the largest multiplayer capacities ever created. “In DreamWorld, all players and their created content exist in a single shared server, making it one of the most ambitious multiplayer experiences to date,” he added.

Before founding DreamWorld, Bellack worked as an engineer at tech giants like Google, Meta, and Apple, where he contributed to projects such as removing the home button from the iPhone X and developing AI for self-driving cars. His love for gaming, combined with his technical background, led him to create DreamWorld during the pandemic.