Build a rocket boya game development company based in Scotland founded by one of the former lead developers behind the game grand theft auto The franchise company announced today that it has raised $110 million in a Series D funding round.
The funding comes ahead of the long-awaited launch of the company’s debut titles and immersive open-world platform.
Leslie Benzies He is perhaps best known as the former president of Rock Star Northwhich led to the development of its overwhelming success grand theft auto The series begins with the third installment in 2001, continuing through each subsequent title until… Leaving the company in 2016 after a 17-month sabbatical. In the same year, Benzez Legal proceedings began against his former employer, arguing that he had effectively been fired and deprived of a share of the game’s profits. A large portion of the complaints They were expelled from court after two yearswith parties Finally reaching a secret settlement In 2019.
During most of this period, Benzies was laying the groundwork for his next big project.
Initially called Royal Circus Games (named after a prestigious address in the company’s home city, Edinburgh), the lawyers represented Rockstar’s parent company Take-Two Interactive argued that The abbreviation “RCG” was strikingly similar to Rockstar Games (RSG), and was deliberately designed to confuse. It is not clear whether the name change was a direct result of this accusation, but the Royal Circus Games It turned into Build a Rocket Boy In 2018 and continue to do so Raise at least $40 million In funding to develop and market a range of new titles.
While these haven’t officially seen the light of day yet, the company has teased a new immersive open world platform called Everywhere, were presented as “community-driven games” where players could build their own world – which could be interpreted as something similar to Roblox. And Then there is MindsEyeis described as a “story-driven action adventure”.
Both titles are scheduled to launch “in the near future,” while the company is also offering a suite of user-generated content (UGC) design tools that it calls Arcadia.
“I started Build A Rocket Boy so I could continue to share the stories I love with players and give them a place to create and share,” Benzies said in a statement. press release. “We believe in a future where game creation is put in the hands of players, and we will empower them with the tools to help shape that vision with us.”
Build a Rocket Boy’s Series D round was led by a New York-based investment firm Red Bird Capital Partnerswith participation from NetEase Games, Galaxy Interactive, Endeavor, Alignment Growth, Woodline Partners, GTAM Partners, and others.
In addition to its headquarters in Edinburgh, Build a Rocket Boy has opened additional development centers in Budapest (Hungary) and Montpellier (France).