Venture Capital
Ongoing coverage on Venture Capital.
Latest coverage
Report: Tencent plans to exit investments in Japanese studios like Story of Seasons developer Marvelous
Tencent is reportedly considering exiting some of its minority investments in Japanese game studios, including Marvelous, as part of a global portfolio reassessment. This move aims to divest stakes where envisioned synergies have lapsed, though investments in companies like FromSoftware and PlatinumGames are expected to remain unaffected. Tencent has stated its continued commitment to the Japanese game market.
Nordic Game 2026 was full of smiles, but they hid a very tough reality | Opinion
The Nordic Game 2026 conference highlighted a difficult transition period for the game industry, marked by challenges in funding and evolving publishing models. Despite a friendly atmosphere, discussions focused on the harsh realities of securing investment, the decline of traditional VC exits, and the need for developers to adopt self-reliant strategies in a fragmented market.
Anthropic boasts $965 billion valuation following $65 billion Series H funding round
Anthropic has achieved a valuation of $965 billion following a $65 billion Series H funding round. Investors in this round included Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks, and Sequoia Capital, reportedly making Anthropic the most valuable AI startup globally.
Anthropic hits $900 billion valuation in latest $30 billion funding round
Anthropic, the creator of the Claude AI assistant, has secured $30 billion in a new funding round, valuing the company at $900 billion. This significant investment highlights the growing interest and capital flowing into the artificial intelligence sector.
Andreessen Horowitz is the midterm elections' biggest donor
Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz has emerged as a significant donor in the midterm elections, reportedly contributing $115.5 million during this election cycle. This substantial financial backing positions the firm as a major player in political funding.
Indika dev Odd Meter raises $5m to fund next project
Indika developer Odd Meter has secured $5 million in a funding round led by Gem Capital and Autotelic Ventures. The investment will be used to fund the studio's next project, expand its team, and maintain creative independence. Odd Meter CEO Dmitry Svetlow expressed gratitude for the support, stating the funds will allow them to focus on building their next game.
Business and Finance
Industry veteran Simon Zhu has established GreaterThan Group, a new company designed to build, empower, and fund creative studios. Katsuhiro Harada, formerly of Bandai Namco, will lead a new SNK studio under this initiative.
INDIKA Developer Raises $5M from GEM Capital and Autotelic Ventures to Fund Its Next Game
Independent game studio Odd Meter, known for its narrative adventure INDIKA, has secured $5 million in funding from GEM Capital and Autotelic Ventures. This investment will support the development of the studio's next unannounced project, allowing them to expand their team and scale production while maintaining creative independence. The funding round highlights the growing interest in narrative-driven indie games.
AI Yi-Yi!
Cowboy Space Corporation has successfully raised $275 million in Series B funding. The company plans to use these funds for its vertically-integrated orbital data centers and rocket development. The funding round highlights a trend of AI data center developers targeting rural areas.
Griffin Gaming Partners launches $100M fund to support indie developers
Venture capital firm Griffin Gaming Partners has launched a $100 million fund, the Special Opportunities Fund, to provide revenue-sharing financing for indie game developers. This initiative aims to offer fair funding solutions by eschewing equity-based investments. The fund has already invested in 15 titles, including several published by Hooded Horse.
Griffin Gaming Partners launches new $100 million fund to champion world-class indie games
Griffin Gaming Partners has launched a new $100 million Special Opportunities Fund (SOF) aimed at providing project-based revenue-sharing financing for indie games. This initiative offers an alternative to traditional equity investments, seeking to better support smaller studios. The fund has already invested in fifteen titles, including nine announced projects across various genres.
Griffin Gaming Partners launches $100m indie dev fund, led by Hooded Horse CEO Tim Bender
Griffin Gaming Partners has launched a $100 million fund, the Special Opportunities Fund (SOF), to support indie game development. Led by Hooded Horse CEO Tim Bender, the fund will provide financing through a revenue-share model rather than equity. This approach aims to protect developers by aligning interests and sharing success evenly, with Griffin already having invested in fifteen titles.
Another $100 million to indie games: new fund led by CEO of Manor Lords publisher and strategy powerhouse Hooded Horse praises "breakout hits with comparatively modest budgets"
Griffin Gaming Partners has launched a new $100 million "Special Opportunities Fund" for indie games, managed by Tim Bender, CEO of Hooded Horse. The fund has already invested in 15 titles, including the turn-based tactics game Menace, with a focus on breakout hits that have modest budgets.
Elon Musk said Gabe Newell gets 'two thumbs up from me' for the OpenAI board but Jeff Bezos is…
Newly released documents from OpenAI's early years reveal that Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, was a significant early investor and part of an informal advisory board. Elon Musk expressed approval of Newell's involvement, contrasting him with Jeff Bezos and his company Blue Origin, which Musk criticized for being far behind SpaceX. Newell's donation to OpenAI was over $20 million.
Web3 Games Continue to Close as Funding Dries Up
The Web3 gaming sector is experiencing widespread closures and a significant funding drought, with nine games halting operations in 2025 alone. Venture capital and crypto-specific funding have declined sharply since late 2023, impacting studio sustainability despite an increase in token launches. While many projects fail within four months due to an overemphasis on tokenomics and underdeveloped gameplay, a few like Alien Worlds and Splinterlands demonstrate potential through community engagement and robust economic practices.
Animoca Introduces $10 Million AI Minds Fund
Animoca Brands has launched a $10 million investment fund called Animoca Minds to support early-stage developers utilizing its AI agent platform. The initiative targets various sectors including gaming and finance, offering financial backing and access to Animoca's network of over 600 web3 companies. Co-founder Yat Siu emphasized the transformative potential of agentic AI in reshaping technology and interaction.
Gabe Newell was an enthusiastic supporter of OpenAI in 2018, donating $20 million and even acting as the sole member of…
Internal emails from the Musk v. Altman lawsuit reveal that Valve founder Gabe Newell was an early supporter of OpenAI, donating $20 million in 2018 and acting as an informal advisor. The emails also highlight Newell's interest in neuroscience and his attempts to arrange a SpaceX tour for Hideo Kojima.
Smed’s MMOFPS Reaper Actual is still alive and just hauled a fresh pile of venture capital cash
Distinct Possibility Studios announced that its MMOFPS title, Reaper Actual, has secured a new round of venture capital funding led by Decasonic. The company plans to launch the game on Steam Early Access in May. Gaming industry veterans Bing Gordon and Paul Hsu have also joined the company's Board of Directors.
Anthropic aims for $900 billion valuation in upcoming investor funding round
Artificial intelligence firm Anthropic is reportedly aiming to raise new funding at a valuation of approximately $900 billion. This significant valuation reflects the company's ambitions in the rapidly growing AI sector.
Why publishers and investors are increasingly backing user-generated games over conventional ones
Investment in user-generated content (UGC) games, particularly on platforms like Roblox, is rapidly increasing, attracting venture capital and publishers who are shifting focus from traditional PC and console titles. Investment firm Double Black Capital notes that while major publishers are still observing, mid-market companies are actively acquiring UGC developers and games due to their high profitability and rapid deal cycles compared to conventional gaming acquisitions. This trend is also extending to platforms like Minecraft, with investors drawn to the potential for significant returns on investment with lower operating costs.
