Cipher is an AI engine built by Ambitionz, a bootstrapped gaming software company led by Pavel Bains, that helps creators and studios design, build, and monetise games faster than ever. Unlike general AI models, Cipher “thinks like a game developer” — understanding the nuances of gameplay, asset optimization, and monetization, while empowering creators to focus on what truly matters: creativity and storytelling.

Rooted in a philosophy inspired by hip-hop’s collaborative “cypher” and the indie record label movement of the ’90s, Ambitionz champions independence, culture, and creativity for Asia’s next generation of game entrepreneurs.

We speak with Pavel Bains, CEO of Ambitionz, about the pivot that led to Cipher, how AI is transforming the game development cycle from months to weeks, and why the future of gaming lies not in hyperrealism, but in empowering everyday creators to build worlds of their own.

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