Party Games Are Back, and AI Is the New Game Master

Web-based party games are making a MASSIVE comeback, and this time, they’re powered by generative AI. Leading the charge is Little Umbrella, a startup that’s turning heads with its innovative approach to social gaming. Fresh off a $2 million seed funding round, this company is ready to revolutionize how we play with friends online.

Why Social Games Are Dominating the Scene

Social games are exploding in popularity, especially in online communities like Discord. Why? Because they’re fast, fun, and thrive on group dynamics. Take Jackbox Games, for example. In 2021 alone, players logged over 72.2 million games. But Little Umbrella isn’t just following the trend—they’re redefining it with AI-driven innovation.

“At Little Umbrella, we’ve embraced the challenge of creating platform-agnostic social games that are built and maintained at a fraction of the cost using AI.”

Tabish Ahmed, CEO of Little Umbrella

Death by AI: The Game That’s Taking Over

Little Umbrella’s flagship title, Death by AI, is a smash hit. Launched last year, it attracted over 20 million players in just three months. The premise? Players create deadly scenarios, and the AI decides who survives. It’s hilarious, unpredictable, and free to play on Discord, web, and iOS for up to eight players.

What’s Next? The Last Show by AI

Little Umbrella’s next game, The Last Show by AI, is set to drop in 2025. Imagine a dystopian game show where an AI host pits players against each other. Survival is the goal, but betrayal is the game. A beta version will debut at the 2025 Game Developers Conference, and trust us—you’ll want to be there.

How AI Is Changing the Game (Literally)

Generative AI is transforming game development. Little Umbrella developed Death by AI in just 10 weeks, a fraction of the time it takes traditional studios. Their secret? A cross-platform social game kit called Playroom, powered by AI models from ElevenLabs, Inworld, and OpenAI. Available for $10–$150/month (or free for small teams), Playroom is a game-changer for developers.

The Dream Team Behind Little Umbrella

• Tabish Ahmed (CEO): Former design leader at Meta’s Horizon Worlds.
• Timothy Johnson (CTO): Built AI-simulated worlds at Gallium Studios.
• Sean Webster (CBO): Former VP at AppLovin and head of partnerships at Snap.
• Bill Robison (Art Director): Worked on hits like “Boss Baby” and “Scoob!”

Investors Betting Big on Little Umbrella

The $2 million seed round included heavy hitters like a16z speedrun, Breakpoint Ventures, and Mark Pincus’s Workplay Ventures. Angel investors like Matt Bilbey (ex-EA) and Ryan Peterson (Flexport founder) also joined the party. Clearly, the future of gaming is bright—and AI-powered.

Why This Matters

Little Umbrella isn’t just making games—they’re creating social experiences that bring people together. With AI as the game master, every round is unique, unpredictable, and downright hilarious. Whether you’re playing Death by AI or gearing up for The Last Show by AI, one thing’s clear: the future of party gaming is here, and it’s powered by AI.