310. Pim De Witte on Turning Down $500 Million from OpenAI... Then Raising $134M.

Pim De Witte, founder of General Intuition and Medal.tv, turned down a deal reportedly worth $500 million from OpenAI, and instead raised $134 million to build an AI lab rooted in games, not words.In this conversation, Michail Katkoff (Deconstructor of Fun) dives deep into:1) How world models could replace game engines2) Why games are the best simulation layer for developing intelligence3) What “AI-native” really means for future studios4) And the paradox of ther AI bubble00:00The Decision to Walk Away from OpenAI02:24Building for the Games Industry05:24The Future of Game Development and AI08:06 Understanding World Models and Their Impact10:38 Talent Acquisition in AI and Gaming13:17 Strategic Risks of AI Integration16:11 The Role of AI in Game Design18:52 Navigating the Future of Game Engines26:31 The Future of Game Distribution and Economics30:06 Generative Systems in Game Design36:29 The Role of Game Designers in AI40:18 AI Integration in Game Studios52:02 AI's Impact on the Economy and Employment