Layer secures $6.5M to streamline game asset production with AI tools

Layer, a startup developing AI-powered tools tailored for game developers, has raised $6.5 million in seed funding. The round was led by Arcadia, the fund launched by Akin Babayigit, and an investment entity associated with Riccardo Zacconi, co-founder of King. Existing backer e2.vc also participated. The funding will be used to advance Layer’s suite of production tools and support its expansion into broader segments of the games industry.

Layer provides a centralized platform designed to simplify the integration of generative AI into game development workflows. Its technology supports the creation and refinement of 2D, 3D, and video assets, aiming to reduce the time and resources typically required for production. Over 200 game studios, including names like Zynga, Tripledot, SciPlay, and Huuuge Games, are already using the platform to manage content pipelines more efficiently.

Founded by former Unity and MIT professionals, Layer was developed specifically for the game sector. The platform is structured to be tool-agnostic and scalable, allowing developers to incorporate AI across various stages of asset development without overhauling existing systems.

Co-founder and CEO Volkan Gurel emphasized the importance of a flexible approach in the current wave of AI adoption across the industry. According to Gurel, Layer addresses a gap by offering a multi-modal solution that is adaptable to the needs of different studios, rather than focusing on narrowly defined point solutions.

The Layer team includes specialists in gaming, AI, and content production. Their platform caters to core game development, live operations content, and marketing asset generation. It is positioned as a solution that helps maintain stylistic consistency while delivering speed and scale.

Backers of the seed round cited the company’s rapid implementation and sector-specific expertise as key factors in their investment decisions. Investors Akin Babayigit and Riccardo Zacconi both highlighted Layer’s ability to integrate AI into existing pipelines without adding complexity, a feature they view as critical for broader industry adoption.

With the new funding, Layer plans to expand its engineering team and enhance features to support studios beyond the mobile games sector. As AI continues to play a larger role in creative industries, Layer aims to help game developers leverage emerging technologies without compromising their workflows or artistic direction.