XR AI Spotlight This AI Game Engine Feels Like a Toy
Jan 7, 2026
Nuno Leiria, founder and CEO of Nilo, previously led performance at Unreal Engine 5 and Fortnite. He shares insights on Nilo's innovative browser-based AI game engine, which allows users to create 3D worlds in minutes. Dive into the concept of playful creation using AI, lowering entry barriers for aspiring builders from platforms like Roblox. Nuno discusses the importance of real-time co-creation, rapid feedback, and how Nilo fosters collaboration in shared 3D spaces. He envisions a growing community of diverse creators reimagining the game development landscape.
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Creation That Feels Like Play
- Nilo makes creation feel like play by hiding traditional engine complexity and giving instant, contextual feedback within the browser.
- AI generates models, rigging, animation, physics and starter code so creators tinker rather than learn deep tooling.
Target Aspiring Builders Not Pros
- Target aspiring builders from platforms like Roblox, Rec Room and Minecraft who want to make modifiable experiences.
- These users value fun and social presence more than AAA visuals, so lowered tooling barriers matter most.
Live Co-Creation Like Figma
- Nuno compared 3D collaboration to Figma: co-creation happens when people share the same live space.
- He described an "elo jam" where eight users built a Halloween world together in real time.