It is with great excitement that we share the news of Ruckus Games' recent $19M Series A funding round, led by KRAFTON and joined by BITKRAFT Ventures, Hypergryph, and Transcend. In the current funding landscape, this achievement stands as a testament to the visionary leadership and unparalleled talent within the Ruckus team, signaling the start of a bold journey to redefine multiplayer gaming.
Less than two years ago, we proudly announced our lead investment in Ruckus Games' oversubscribed Seed Round. From the outset, we saw something extraordinary in this team of veteran developers, hailing from industry giants such as Gearbox, Riot Games, and Blizzard. Their collective experience—shaped by their work on franchises like Borderlands and The Elder Scrolls Online—combined with their passion for creating innovative, cooperative gameplay experiences, set them apart in the competitive landscape of AAA game development.
A Visionary Team Redefining Multiplayer Gaming
The Ruckus Games team, led by CEO and Game Director Paul Sage, has been on a mission to disrupt the multiplayer landscape with their unique blend of deep RPG elements, fast-paced action, and a distinct sense of humor. Their debut title, a third-person cooperative session-based RPG shooter, promises to deliver an experience unlike anything else on the market, built around the concept of "unlikely heroes" using everything at their disposal to overcome overwhelming odds.
Sage, who previously served as Creative Director on Borderlands 3, is joined by an all-star lineup of industry veterans including Art Director Scott Kester, Principal Designer Keith Schuler, World Director Carl Shedd, Gameplay & UX Director Chris Strasz, Character Art Director Kevin Penrod, and CTO & Technical Director Jesse McIntyre. Together, they form a powerhouse team with a shared vision of creating games that are not only fun but also "physical, joyous, and just a damn good time to be shared with others."
A Vote of Confidence in Challenging Times
Securing $19M in Series A funding in the current environment is no small feat, and it speaks volumes about the potential that investors see in Ruckus Games. This round, led by KRAFTON—home to globally renowned titles such as PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and The Callisto Protocol—brings together a syndicate of investors who are committed to supporting the studio's ambitious goals.
Maria Park of KRAFTON, who will be joining the Ruckus Games board, shared her enthusiasm for the team's progress: "We believe in the future of co-op gaming, and the Ruckus team has demonstrated incredible progress with a small team in a short period of time. They've crafted something so on-trend with stylish action and humor that it not only entertains but also connects players in memorable ways."
Similarly, Clare Yang, Head of Investment at Hypergryph, highlighted the studio's innovative approach to the looter shooter genre and its potential to resonate with Chinese players: "We've had the privilege of witnessing how Ruckus Games is pushing the boundaries of the looter shooter genre with their player-centric development approach. That's exactly what we believe Project Bobcat offers. We are excited to partner with Ruckus Games and support their creative vision in the long term."
Looking Ahead
As Ruckus Games continues to expand its team, they are seeking experienced developers who share their passion for crafting unparalleled gameplay experiences. The excitement surrounding their debut title is palpable, and we at Transcend are immensely proud to continue our partnership with Ruckus Games as they embark on this journey.
About Transcend
Transcend is a top performing early stage venture capital firm that partners with the boldest founders in the industry to collaboratively build the future of interactive entertainment.
Founded in San Francisco by gaming veterans, the Transcend portfolio features a preeminent group of high growth digital entertainment companies around the world.
More information about Transcend can be found on our website. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news from around the Transcend ecosystem.
About Andrew Sheppard
Andrew Sheppard is a seasoned strategist and gaming executive who currently serves as an investor, advisor, and board member for leading teams in media and entertainment.
With over 20 years of operational experience, Andrew has built, grown, and managed multi-billion-dollar consumer businesses. He is the Managing Director at Transcend and serves on the boards of GDEV, Ruckus Games, Fun Country, and Eggscape Entertainment. Previously, Andrew was the CEO of GREE International, President of Studios at Kabam, and Head of Strategy at Electronic Arts' Maxis Studio. He has led initiatives generating over $5 billion in revenue across various sectors, including online media, social media games, subscriptions, free-to-play, console games, online/PC games, mobile games, and apps.
Andrew is excited to put capital to work in service of companies that are passionate about reinventing the game.
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