Élisa Interactive Aims to Democratize Roblox World-Building
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The Montréal-based startup raised $875,000 to launch an AI-powered tool that allows non-technical users to create custom game environments.
Montréal-based Élisa Interactive has secured $875,000 in pre-seed funding to simplify the creation of virtual worlds within Roblox, according to BetaKit. Founded by François and Julien Bélanger, the company is developing an AI-powered level design tool called Me-Z-Scene.
Rather than generating new assets, Me-Z-Scene functions by arranging existing pieces to build scenes, a process François Bélanger compared to using a Playmobil toy set. While the technology was initially intended to reduce "drudge work" for professional developers and studios, the company pivoted toward a non-professional audience after finding that studio-specific versions of the tech were too specialized, BetaKit reports.
The tool targets Roblox's massive user base of over 151 million daily active users. While the platform features seven million user-generated "experiences," François Bélanger told BetaKit that creating these worlds typically requires significant developer skills. Me-Z-Scene plugs into the open nature of Roblox to allow amateurs to build custom environments for social fun. Bélanger noted the company may eventually expand into other user-generated content games, including Fortnite and Minecraft.
The pre-seed round included investments from Anges Québec, AQC Capital, a group of angel investors, and Investissement Québec’s Eurêka Fund. Me-Z-Scene is currently being tested by nearly 100 users, with a full launch scheduled for the fall. Élisa Interactive plans to implement a credit-based pricing model, though the specific details have not yet been finalized.