Buildbox raises US$20mil so anyone can make the next ‘Pokemon Go’

The Internet has eliminated many barriers to creativity in recent years. Anyone can be a director, movie star or recording artist without much help, thanks to YouTube, Spotify and TikTok. Zweig believes “video-game designer” will be the next addition to that list, and that Buildbox will be the company to make it happen. — Pixabay

Growing up in the 1980s, Jonathan Zweig and Mike Seavers dreamed of making their own video games. But designing a proper game required a mastery of computer code, something neither would attain until adulthood.

They are hoping their company, Buildbox, can change that. Buildbox has raised US$20mil (RM81.07mil) from investors such as Raine Ventures, Galaxy Venture Capital and Manta Ray to build out software that allows anyone to create a video game without needing to know code. Close to one million people have already used Buildbox’s software to create games, which have been played by more than 100 million people, according to Zweig. This new funding will allow the company to hire more staff and experiment with a new advertising programme.