Indie game development studio Welevel has raised $5.7 million in funding to further its efforts in procedural game development. The investment round was led by Bitkraft Ventures and includes contributions from BMWK (DLR), goodwater, and several industry executives. The Munich-based studio plans to use the funding to expand its development team and enhance its AI-driven tools, which are designed to streamline game production and create dynamic, player-driven experiences.

CEO Christian Heimerl stated in an interview with GamesBeat that Welevel’s goal is to compete with larger game studios by using AI to optimize game development processes without sacrificing quality or creativity. The studio aims to leverage AI to improve world-building, NPC behavior, and quest generation, allowing for an adaptive gameplay experience where player choices influence the game world in meaningful ways.

Welevel Secures $5.7 Million for AI Game Development

About Welevel

With the new funding, Welevel plans to double its team size as it continues work on its upcoming sandbox survival game. The project, which began development in 2021, uses the company’s in-house generative models and is expected to launch in early access next year. The game seeks to redefine the survival genre by introducing an evolving world where NPCs remember player actions, interact dynamically, and contribute to resource management and world-building.

Jasper Brand, a partner at Bitkraft Ventures, noted that Welevel's approach to game development allows for rapid iteration and efficient production, thanks to its AI-powered tools. Heimerl emphasized that while large-scale game development typically requires significant resources, Welevel’s use of AI enables a smaller, dedicated team to create a high-quality experience that rivals traditional triple-A titles.

Welevel Team Photos

Player Experience and AI Innovation

Welevel’s approach to game development is driven by Heimerl’s long-standing passion for games rather than a focus on monetization. Heimerl, a longtime gamer who was deeply influenced by titles like Ultima Online, saw an opportunity to integrate AI into game development to enhance player immersion. His experience in AI-driven companies led him to recognize the potential of procedural generation in gaming, which ultimately inspired the foundation of Welevel.

The studio's AI technology enables dynamic storytelling, procedural world-building, and sophisticated NPC interactions. By utilizing AI-driven systems, Welevel seeks to provide a more interactive and evolving game world where players' choices directly impact the environment. Heimerl highlighted that survival games often focus heavily on repetitive resource collection, which can become tedious over time. Welevel’s solution integrates AI-powered NPCs that assist in world-building, ensuring that player-created settlements remain lively and interactive.

Grimlore Games

Future Plans and Industry Recognition

Beyond its first project, Welevel has aspirations to expand into additional genres and introduce user-generated content. The company is set to showcase its work at GDC 2025, where it will present its advancements in AI-driven game development.

Bitkraft Ventures, the lead investor in Welevel’s funding round, specializes in early-stage investments in gaming, web3, blockchain, and immersive technology, managing assets exceeding $1 billion. Brand expressed confidence in Welevel’s ability to break traditional development barriers by using AI to optimize production, reduce costs, and create more engaging player experiences.

With its latest funding secured, Welevel is focused on refining its game, testing its AI-driven systems, and preparing for early access. The studio’s approach represents a shift in how games can be developed, leveraging AI to enable small teams to create ambitious, high-quality experiences.

Source: GamesBeat