OpenAI, the company behind tools like ChatGPT, is making two major changes to its AI creation app, Sora. In simple terms, they are introducing a paid credit system and a new feature called “Cameos” that lets people sell their AI-generated characters.
OpenAI is launching a new credit system for Sora and piloting a "Cameo" economy.
— NearExplains AI (@nearexplains) October 31, 2025
This will allow IP owners and creators to monetize their work by charging others to use their "Cameos" (AI-generated characters) in videos. The feature is expanding from iOS to the web app. pic.twitter.com/4sJvzd4YGf
Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s happening and why.
Why You’ll Have to Pay: The New Credit System
Until now, Sora has been very generous, reportedly offering users around 30 free creations (or “gens”) per day. The problem is that the app has become extremely popular.
According to a post from Sora’s CEO, Bill Peebles, the company was “amazed” by how much people, especially “power users,” were using the app.
Creating AI videos and images takes a massive amount of computer power, which is very expensive. Mr. Peebles stated that the current free model is “completely unsustainable” from a cost perspective.
The Solution: To keep the service running, Sora is launching the ability for users to “buy extra gens.” This means that while there might still be a free option, anyone who uses the app a lot will need to pay for credits to create more content.
SORA CAMEOS DATABASE IS LIVE
— TadasG đź’» (@tadasged6) October 16, 2025
Find cameos of real people and use it to generate Sora 2 videos with REAL people
All cameos are labeled with age (0-99) and gender (male/female) pic.twitter.com/pgtVptSt67
What Are “Cameos”? A New AI Marketplace
The second major update is the start of a “new Sora economy,” which begins with a feature called “Cameos.”
Think of a “Cameo” as a unique, AI-generated character that someone creates. The screenshots show examples like a cute orange crab or a cartoon cloud.
Here’s how it works:
- Creators Make Characters: An artist, a brand, or even a big movie studio can design and create a unique “Cameo” character in Sora.
- Others Can Use Them (for a Price): The creator (or “IP owner”) can then make this character available to other people.
- Monetization: The key part is that the creator can charge other users a fee to use their “Cameo” character in their own videos.
For example, imagine Disney creating an official Mickey Mouse “Cameo.” They could then allow Sora users to pay a small fee to include Mickey in their own AI-generated videos. This allows artists and brands to be paid for their work.
This feature was first seen on the Sora app for iOS (iPhones) and is now being expanded to the web app, making it available to more users.
In summary: Sora is growing up. To cover its high running costs, it’s asking its heaviest users to pay for credits. At the same time, it’s building a new marketplace where creators can finally make money by selling the rights to use their unique AI characters.
Source: OpenAI