For gamers and anime fans, the idea of 2D virtual characters coming to life in fully realized 3D can be quite the dream. A world where one’s favorite characters can cross dimensions, stepping into new settings—or even reality itself—once seemed like pure fantasy.
But thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence, that fantasy can now be made real. With the latest AI-driven tools, players and creators alike are turning their imaginations into interactive experiences at an unprecedented scale.
One recent breakthrough is Where Winds Meet, which introduced an innovative feature in its cloud gaming version: the ability to upload photos of characters, objects, or landscapes and instantly generate high-fidelity 3D models that integrate with in-game mechanics.
As soon as the feature launched, thousands of players began experimenting—uploading images of landscapes, action figures, and even everyday objects to see how they would translate into the game’s ancient martial arts world. Some took things even further, adding unexpected elements like an excavator. Remarkably, the AI-generated machine blended seamlessly into the environment, its lighting and physics perfectly adapted to the game’s world.
It might sound like science fiction, but for Tripo, the AI company powering this feature, this is just the beginning of dissolving the boundaries between the virtual and the real.
Enhancing creative freedom
Open-world games have long captivated players with their vast landscapes and the thrill of the unexpected. Over the years, developers have continuously pushed the boundaries of in-game freedom, introducing mechanics that deepen immersion and interactivity.
By allowing players to import custom 3D objects into its world, Where Winds Meet is rewriting the rules of gameplay. But the decision to integrate Tripo’s AI technology wasn’t random—it reflects a broader shift in how the gaming industry is leveraging artificial intelligence.
AI-generated content (AIGC) in gaming has moved far beyond the experimental stage. Developers no longer seek just functional AI tools—they need industrial-grade solutions capable of generating professional-quality assets at lightning speed.
Tripo first gained attention when its AI-powered model generation system created 3D assets in just eight seconds—then the fastest in the world. But studios quickly demanded more: greater detail, increased speed, and deeper integration with existing workflows.
In response, Tripo launched its 2.0 update. The release immediately sparked excitement, with Where Winds Meet players flooding forums and social media to discuss the new feature, racking up millions of views.
Tripo’s technology isn’t limited to a single game. Following its 2.5 update, an overseas AAA game studio used it to generate a gothic castle model that reportedly cut production time by two months while meeting high artistic standards.
By breaking game assets into modular components and enabling AI-driven content generation, Tripo is laying the groundwork for the next evolution of user-generated content (UGC)—where creativity is no longer constrained by technical expertise.
At its core, AIGC is about one thing: creative freedom.
This freedom isn’t just changing how players engage with in-game content—it’s reshaping how games themselves are built.
Glimpse into the future
One of the most unconventional AI-driven games to emerge recently is Shawarma Legend, which takes the concept of AAA gaming in a different direction—by using AI for nearly everything.
Designed as a lightweight simulation game, Shawarma Legend features a main menu illustrated with Stable Diffusion, characters generated through Midjourney, and a cast of quirky NPCs—including a shopkeeper with an unsettlingly deformed hand, meant to symbolize his endless cycle of restocking goods.
Its theme song, composed with Suno AI, is available in 14 languages and went viral, both adored and mocked by players.
After launching in September, Shawarma Legend topped the iOS free game charts for 16 consecutive days, amassing over three million downloads—49% from China. However, due to repetitive gameplay, daily active users declined quickly. Yet, as one of the first AI-powered games built by a solo developer, its impact was undeniable.
The game’s success also ignited a new wave of interest in AI-assisted game creation. On Bilibili, an influencer uploaded a step-by-step tutorial demonstrating how they built an action game entirely using AI—ostensibly without writing a single line of code. AI was said to have handled everything, from coding to debugging, with tools like DeepSeek, Midjourney, and Tripo working together. The result? A functioning game, built by someone with no programming experience.
Reshaping content production
Recently, an independent creator used AI to build a flight simulator in just three hours. Within nine days of release, the game generated USD 17,360 in ad revenue. Even Elon Musk took notice, calling AI’s potential in game development “massive.”
The game’s viral success has fueled discussions on how best to integrate AI tools like Grok-3, Cursor, DALL-E, and Midjourney into the production pipeline. But with so many options available, the challenge isn’t just choosing the right tool—it’s making them work together seamlessly.
Tripo’s latest 2.5 update is designed to tackle this problem. By combining 3D generation, language processing, and physics simulation, Tripo aims to simplify the creation of immersive environments, bridging the gap between static assets and interactive worlds.
And the impact of AI extends far beyond digital entertainment.
In a designer toy factory in Dongguan, China, handdrawn sketches are now converted directly into 3D-printable files using Tripo’s API. A process that once took two months now takes just three days—with AI even optimizing designs for structural integrity.
Meanwhile, fashion design platform Look has been using AI since 2023 to transform sketches into 3D clothing models. The system automatically refines fabric textures, adjusts materials, and adapts how outfits drape on different body types.
New frontier for digital creation
From Where Winds Meet’s AI-driven world-building to indie developers crafting entire games in hours, AI is reshaping the creative landscape. But as these tools become more powerful, they also raise new questions about the relationship between imagination and reality—especially now that nearly anyone can build hyper-realistic virtual worlds with minimal effort.
This shift is both technological and cultural. AI is democratizing content creation, lowering the barrier for individuals to bring their ideas to life. And the effects are already rippling across industries:
- Game development: Over 200 games on Steam now integrate AI-generated content.
- 3D printing: On Taobao, 45% of new 3D print orders are for game-related models.
- Film production: Studios are starting to source AI-assisted player creations for digital assets.
As the line between virtual and real continues to blur, the question isn’t just what AI can create—it’s what we choose to do with it. The future of digital creativity won’t be defined by AI alone, but by the people who wield it.
Or, as Tripo’s founder Song Yachen put it:
“We’re not just teaching AI to generate models—we’re unlocking the imagination of an entire generation.”
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Liu Shiwu for 36Kr.