Lil Snack, co-founded by Eric Berman and Travis Chen, has experienced exponential growth, with its games becoming highly popular due to its unique approach of aligning with daily cultural trends. The company has now raised $3.1 million from notable investors, including Lerer Hippeau, Waverley Capital, A16z Games Speedrun, and Powerhouse Capital.
The Rise of Snackable Games
Lil Snack’s core concept revolves around the idea of snackable games—quick, engaging mobile games that are easy to pick up and play. These games are designed to be in tune with current events and pop culture, offering players a fresh and relevant gaming experience daily.
Leveraging AI for Game Development
A significant part of Lil Snack’s strategy involves leveraging AI tools to speed up game development. AI enables the company to create new games rapidly, ensuring they can keep pace with the fast-moving trends in culture and entertainment. This approach has not only enhanced their production capabilities but also allowed them to maintain a high level of engagement and retention among players.
Targeting Influencers and Streamers
To boost visibility and player engagement, Lil Snack has focused on targeting YouTube influencers and streamers. These content creators introduce the games to their audiences, driving daily participation and creating a competitive environment among players. This strategy has been effective in fostering a community around Lil Snack’s games, with discussions and competitions extending to platforms like Discord.
Funding and Future Plans
The recent $3.1 million funding round will support Lil Snack’s ongoing growth and development. The company plans to expand its team, enhance its AI capabilities, and continue innovating in the gaming space. The founders emphasize the importance of human input in the game creation process, despite the extensive use of AI, to ensure that their games remain engaging and fun.
Background of the Founders
Eric Berman and Travis Chen bring a wealth of experience from leading roles in major companies such as Hulu, Snap, and Scopely. Their combined expertise in developing and scaling consumer products has been instrumental in Lil Snack’s success. Their vision for Lil Snack is to create games that move at the “speed of culture,” making gaming a dynamic part of daily life.
Embracing AI and Human Creativity
While AI plays a crucial role in Lil Snack’s game development process, Berman and Chen stress that human creativity remains at the core of their work. They use AI to streamline content creation but rely on their team’s ingenuity to develop game ideas and ensure that each game is unique and engaging.
Rapid Organic Growth
Lil Snack’s innovative approach has led to rapid organic growth. The company has seen its audience grow significantly, with high levels of engagement and retention. Their ability to quickly produce games that resonate with current events has been key to attracting a loyal player base.
Conclusion
Lil Snack is at the forefront of a new wave in the gaming industry, using AI to create quick, relevant, and engaging mobile games. With their recent funding, they are poised to continue their rapid growth and innovation, bringing more exciting gaming experiences to players worldwide.
