Runway enters Game Worlds

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Welcome to VP Land! Runway has just introduced "Game Worlds," an experimental platform designed to let anyone build and play interactive experiences using only text prompts, with hints at expanding to real-time 3D worlds soon.

📷 Last week, we asked about your go-to iPhone camera app. Most of you still prefer the built-in native one. Check out today's poll below.

In today's edition:

Runway launches AI-powered Game Worlds platform
Federal court rules on fair use for AI model training
HeyGen introduces AI Video Agent for automated video creation
Higgsfield AI unveils Soul model for high-aesthetic imagery

Runway's New AI Game Worlds

Runway launched Game Worlds, an experimental platform that lets anyone create and play interactive games using simple text prompts—no coding required. The move signals Runway's expansion beyond video generation into AI-powered game development, positioning the company at the forefront of democratizing interactive storytelling.

Game Worlds uses generative AI models to create characters, environment art, and dialogue on the fly, with players able to type any action and watch the AI adapt the story and mechanics in real time.
The platform currently focuses on simple image and text-based games with interactive dialogue systems, but Runway hints at future integration of 3D generative technology and physics engines for richer, more interactive worlds.
The no-code approach targets writers and artists who can now create interactive narratives without programming knowledge, potentially spawning vast ecosystems of community-driven content similar to platforms like Roblox.
Industry observers see this as part of a broader trend toward AI-powered game prototyping, with competitors like Oasis AI also focusing on generating open-world games, though Runway differentiates itself through real-time story adaptation.

Runway always released an update to Gen-4 References system, enabling more consistent visual styles and brand-specific asset creation.

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Fair Use Victory for AI Training

A federal court ruled that AI companies can legally train their models on copyrighted books they lawfully purchase, marking the first time a U.S. court has recognized fair use protection for AI training. The landmark decision favored Anthropic in a class action lawsuit brought by authors who claimed the company used their works without permission to train Claude.

Judge William Alsup called the training process "quintessentially transformative," comparing it to how human writers read and learn from books to create new works rather than simply copying them.
The court distinguished between lawfully acquired books and pirated content, allowing a separate trial to proceed regarding Anthropic's alleged use of over 7 million pirated books from illegal download sites.
AI companies now have legal precedent protecting their training practices, but they must ensure they acquire copyrighted materials through legitimate channels to avoid potential statutory damages up to $150,000 per infringed work.
The ruling comes as multiple similar lawsuits against OpenAI, Meta, and other AI developers remain pending, with this decision likely to influence those cases and future copyright legislation.

HeyGen Launches World's First Creative OS

HeyGen has launched what CEO Joshua Xu calls the world's first "Creative Operating System"—the HeyGen Video Agent that automates every step of video creation from initial concept to finished, localized content. The announcement positions the platform to transform how creators approach video storytelling in 2025.

The Video Agent analyzes any input—documents, footage, or simple text prompts—to automatically find stories, write scripts, select shots, and assemble professional-grade videos without manual editing.
HeyGen's new AI Studio adds advanced features like virtual camera control for dynamic shots, AI-generated motion graphics, and Magic Apply B-roll that contextually matches script tone and content.
The platform supports 175+ languages for instant localization and operates through natural language prompts

Higgsfield Soul Delivers Fashion-Grade AI Photography

Higgsfield AI has launched Higgsfield Soul, a new AI photo model specifically designed for high-aesthetic imagery that targets fashion, editorial, and lifestyle content creation. The company positions Soul as delivering "fashion-grade realism" with the bold claim that users might "throw away your iPhone" after experiencing its capabilities.

Soul comes equipped with 50+ curated presets spanning everything from avant-garde concepts to specific subcultures like "Coquette core," "Gorpcore," and "Tokyo streetstyle," making professional-grade aesthetic direction accessible without deep technical knowledge.
The platform takes a preset-driven approach rather than complex prompt engineering, allowing creators to generate editorial-quality fashion imagery through plug-and-play creative templates that are finely tuned to current trends.
Unlike broader AI image generators, Soul specifically targets fashion and high-aesthetics segments, offering rapid generation of editorial shoots without traditional production costs like models, stylists, or set builds.

Addy discusses his experience navigating unemployment following a layoff and explains how he utilized AI tools such as ChatGPT for interview preparation, research, and ultimately securing a position at Stability AI.

Stories, projects, and links that caught our attention from around the web:

🎬 Industry leaders discuss whether cinemas can survive the next 20 years amid evolving audience habits and economic pressures.

🏛️ Los Angeles city officials have approved a new 5-year contract with FilmLA to oversee film permits, despite calls from advocacy groups demanding significant permitting reforms.

💸 The USC School of Cinematic Arts has received a $25 million donation from the Blavatnik Family Foundation to launch a new virtual production center.

🎥 Blackmagic Design’s URSA Cine 17K 65 joins the prestigious group of cameras eligible for Netflix productions, enhancing choices for premium shoots.

🤖 Creators and digital artists are sharing strong opinions on MrBeast’s new AI Thumbnail Generator following its recent launch.

📱 VSCO has launched a new iPhone camera app marking its return to the mobile photography market.