🎮 Google invests in Indian social network for gamers STAN

Google participated in investing $8.5 million in the platform STAN, based in Singapore but targeting users from India. Other participants in the round include: Bandai Namco, Square Enix, and Aptos Labs. Google invested through its AI Futures Fund, launched in May.

What makes STAN stand out?

➖ Social features. STAN aims to become an analog of Discord for gamers, but with a unique model: users earn virtual currency "Gems" by playing popular games — from Minecraft to Call of Duty. The currency can be exchanged for vouchers for Amazon, Flipkart, and other platforms.
➖ Creator tools. Content creators set up paid-access clubs, on which the platform earns a commission.
➖ AI moderation. Already up to 80% of chat moderation is done using AI, with plans to further develop this technology.

📈 The platform has registered 25 million downloads and 5.5 million monthly active users. STAN plans to enter the international market, starting with Southeast Asia.

According to co-founder Parth Chadha, Google will help implement AI features: creating avatars, memes, and chat filtering.

“STAN is a place where gamers find friends, play together, and communicate,” he notes.


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