Rooms, a 3D design app that allows users to build and code interactive 3D rooms and mini-games, has secured a $1 million investment from Google as part of a partnership deal. The investment, structured as a SAFE, gives Google the ability to invest in Rooms' next round, its Series A. This partnership also grants Rooms early access to Google's Gemini AI, which will enhance the app's user experience.

Founded by former Google employees, including Jason Toff, Bruno Oliveira, and Nick Kruge, Rooms offers a unique platform for users to express their creativity through digital art. The app provides a library of over 10,000 items, which can be edited using the programming language Lua. Users can create mini 3D spaces, similar to a TikTok-like experience, and browse them in a vertical feed.

Initially, creators were building simple spaces and mini-games using the technology, but recent trends show users creating larger spaces and using the app to tell stories. One example is user eodqueen, who started building standard rooms and later created bigger spaces with animation and interactivity. This shift towards storytelling is a significant development for the platform.

Rooms has also updated its app to version 3.0, introducing a new Actions editor that allows users to bring their rooms to life without coding. The company plans to leverage its access to Gemini to further enhance the in-app experience via a text-to-speech mode. This feature will enable creators to add narration to their rooms, with characters able to speak in various tones, such as angry, bored, or enthusiastic.

The startup has achieved significant milestones, surpassing 1 million rooms built on the platform and offering over 10,000 things and objects in its inventory for designing digital spaces. Although the company hasn't shared updates on user numbers or engagement times, it had grown to a quarter of a million registered users last year.

Rooms has previously raised $10 million in seed funding from investors including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Adobe's Chief Strategy Officer and VP of Design & Emerging Products, Scott Belsky, as well as Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger, among others. The app is currently available on the web and on iOS, with no monetization introduced yet.

The partnership with Google and the integration of Gemini AI will likely have a significant impact on the 3D design and gaming industries. As Rooms continues to grow and develop, it will be interesting to see how the app evolves and what new features and capabilities are introduced. With its unique blend of creativity, coding, and storytelling, Rooms has the potential to become a major player in the tech industry.

In conclusion, the investment and partnership between Google and Rooms marks an exciting development for the 3D design app. With its innovative approach to creativity and coding, Rooms is poised to make a significant impact on the tech industry, and its partnership with Google will likely accelerate its growth and development.