Rooms: The 3D Design Platform Revolutionizing Interior Decorating
From Beta to Breakthrough
In November 2023, Rooms, a groundbreaking 3D design platform created by former Google employees, made its debut on the App Store. Today, the free iOS app is receiving a significant update, introducing a host of discovery-focused features that promise to elevate the user experience to new heights.
Cozy Gaming Meets Interior Design
Rooms is more than just an interior decorating app; it’s a cozy game that allows players to construct and code intricate 3D rooms and mini-games using a vast library of over 7,500 digital items. With the ability to customize items using Lua, the same programming language used in Roblox Studio, the possibilities for creativity are endless.
Exponential Growth and User Engagement
In just a few short months, Rooms has amassed an impressive quarter of a million registered users, a testament to the app’s appeal and the dedication of its three-person development team. Co-founder Jason Toff, who previously worked in Google’s AR/VR division, expressed his pleasant surprise at the app’s success, noting that users were not only engaging with the platform but also creating rooms that exceeded expectations.
Image Credits: Things Inc. (Rooms’ parent company)
Rooms 2.0: Discover, Create, and Inspire
Enhanced Discovery Features
With the launch of “Rooms 2.0,” the app now boasts a Trending feed on the home screen, showcasing popular creators and their most-liked designs. Users can also explore over a dozen new categories, such as “Games,” “Art,” “Fantasy,” “Nature,” and “Weird,” as well as “Tribute,” which features rooms inspired by beloved IPs like Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, and Hello Kitty.
Explore, Honeycomb, and Activity
The new Explore page offers even more ways to discover content, including user profiles, top games, and all-time favorites. “Honeycomb View” introduces a hexagonal grid that allows users to browse multiple rooms simultaneously, zooming in and out for a customized viewing experience. The Activity tab enables creators to track likes, comments, and remixes of their designs, fostering a sense of community and appreciation.
Remix Protection and Performance Enhancements
Rooms has updated its Remix feature, which allows users to build upon existing designs, to detect and prevent copycat rooms. This ensures that creators receive proper recognition for their time and effort. Additionally, the team has implemented mesh optimization techniques to improve the rendering speed of large rooms by up to 20 times.
The Future of Rooms: AI, Subscriptions, and Expansion
Looking ahead, Rooms is exploring the integration of AI-powered tools to simplify coding within the app, potentially offering users guidance on identifying and correcting mistakes in their code. While the company has considered generative AI features for room design, the high costs have temporarily put this on hold. As Rooms continues to gain traction, the introduction of a premium subscription model may be on the horizon.
In the coming months, Rooms plans to launch a desktop app on Steam, further expanding its reach. While an Android app is under consideration, it is not currently a top priority for the company.
With its innovative approach to 3D design and its commitment to enhancing the user experience, Rooms is poised to revolutionize the world of interior decorating and cozy gaming. As the platform continues to evolve and grow, it’s clear that the future of digital design is in good hands.
1 Comment
Who knew a cozy game about rooms could draw such a crowd? Color me impressed!