Liminal Experiences, a user-generated content (UGC) gaming startup, has emerged from stealth with $5.8 million in seed funding to build an AI-powered platform that empowers players to create and share their own RPG-style adventures. The investment was led by BITKRAFT Ventures, Riot Games, and OTK Media Group, with notable angel investors, including Marc Merrill, co-founder of Riot Games, also participating.
By integrating AI tools into game development, Liminal aims to lower the barriers to entry for creators, allowing them to design immersive 3D worlds and craft interactive narratives with ease. The startup’s vision is to make game creation as intuitive and joyful as playing itself.
As AI adoption in gaming grows, many developers and players remain skeptical about its impact. Liminal’s CEO, Brendan Mulligan, acknowledges these concerns: “AI in gaming is a sensitive topic, as many developers worry about being replaced, and players grapple with its ethical issues.”
Unlike other AI-driven initiatives that focus on automation, Liminal’s approach prioritizes human creativity, using AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for game designers. The platform enables players to build their own episodic adventure stories, customize characters, and collaborate on quests, making high-quality storytelling more accessible to a broader audience.
With the newly secured capital, Liminal will accelerate product development, enhance its AI storytelling features, and expand its team of game development experts. The startup is also preparing for an alpha release in 2026, where early adopters can playtest the platform and provide feedback.
Beyond development, the company plans to explore partnerships with existing intellectual properties (IPs), offering a way for beloved franchises to engage players through UGC-driven storytelling. According to Mulligan, “We hear the same thing again and again from the teams behind some of our favorite universes, ‘we need a gaming/UGC strategy but the current solutions don’t make sense for our brand.’”
Founded in 2022, Liminal Experiences operates as a fully remote studio with a team passionate about making game development more inclusive. The company is led by Brendan Mulligan, who previously spent eight years at Riot Games leading strategic business partnerships, investments, and League of Legends’ economy design. He is joined by David Lieberman, Liminal’s technical co-founder, who formerly served as Group Product Lead at Riot Games and VP of Engineering at Buildbox.
The platform is inspired by the imaginative way children create entire universes through play, providing tools that allow users of all skill levels to design their own adventure worlds. With features like AI-powered storytelling assistance and easy quest creation, Liminal is positioned to bridge the gap between players and game developers.
Liminal’s funding round includes backing from some of the most influential players in the gaming industry. BITKRAFT Ventures, Riot Games, and OTK Media Group are among the lead investors, with additional support from angel investors, including Marc Merrill. These investors bring extensive experience in gaming and esports, reinforcing Liminal’s credibility as a rising force in the UGC gaming space.
As the gaming industry continues to embrace AI-powered tools, Liminal stands out as a company that champions human creativity while leveraging AI to enhance, rather than replace, the creative process. Players eager to explore the future of interactive storytelling can apply for early playtests ahead of the platform’s anticipated 2026 release.
