Clout Kitchen raises $4.45M for AI gaming pal that mimics content creators

Clout Kitchen announced today that it has raised $4.45 million in its seed funding round, which it plans to put towards its new creator-powered products and experiences. The first of these is Backseat AI, an AI-powered buddy for League of Legends that the company created with Tyler “Tyler1” Steinkamp — an AI buddy that can take on the aspect of popular gaming content creators. Clout Kitchen plans to use its funding to expand its team and build out its shared internal tech stack.

Backseat AI is a guide, built to be compliant with Riot Games’ in-game API, that gives players helpful tips on how to better play the game, all spoken by an AI voice twin of a content creator. The product launched for early access testing in June, and the full release costs players $4.99 a month for each creator-specific “buddy” they choose. At present, those buddies include Tyler1 himself, as well as cosplayer and streamer Emily “Emiru” Schunk and professional esports player Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski. It’s aimed at entry-to-mid-level players.

GamesBeat spoke with Clout Kitchen CEO Justin Gorriceta-Banusing about Backseat AI and what it means for gamers and creators alike. Banusing said, “Backseat is a real time buddy for League; it tells you how to play better and commentates on the action in the voice of your favorite creator. We also have visual overlays that provide tips, tricks and stats. Think of it like that friend who cheered us on and helped us get better at your favorite game growing up.”

Playing games with an AI-powered friend

Peak XV’s Surge and a16z Speedrun led the round with AppWorks, Antler, Hustle Fund, Founders Launchpad, Orvel Ventures and several creators participating. Jack Soslow, investment partner at a16z Games, said in a statement, “At a16z, we believe in the transformative power of technology and games to reshape how we connect, create, and experience the world. Clout Kitchen embodies this vision wholly, and we are thrilled to support their journey as they pioneer new ways for fans to engage with the creators and games they love.”

Banusing said part of the inspiration for Backseat AI was Tyler1 becoming a father, as he wanted a way to keep up with his community without taking time away from his child. “Ultimately, what we do is help solve for the creator scale and time problem. Most creators monetize through ads, content subscriptions (like Patreon, which have the expectation of content releases), and brand deals. These take up time and may not necessarily always align with a creator’s (and their community’s) own interests and style. With AI buddies, we can give every single one of their community a way to interact with their favorite creator that’s distinctly them — all without taking up a creator’s precious time.”

Banusing also added that Clout Kitchen wishes to expand its products into other titles, and with other creators: “As we grow, we want to build more apps like this for other games and verticals — bringing your favorite creators as trusted buddies into everything that you love to do. We’re exploring games like World of Warcraft, as well as non-gaming use cases like fitness. As we say internally ‘”‘all your favorite games, all your favorite people.’”