ForeVR Games announced today it has raised $7M in additional seed financing, bringing the company's total raise to $8.5M. The round is led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with Galaxy Interactive and notable investors, including All Star Capital, Mark Pincus and Emmett Shear. ForeVR plans to use the new funding to focus on building the best social games in VR by building out the team, developing new games, expanding to additional platforms and continuing to upgrade the recently-released ForeVR Bowl.
As VR becomes more affordable and accessible, the interest in VR gaming has grown exponentially in the past year. And with new entrants to VR expected in the next year with Apple and Samsung, consumers will have more choices.
ForeVR Games is the first gaming company dedicated to developing IRL games into virtual reality gaming experiences. Led by industry vets Marcus Segal and Mike Pagano Doom, the team aims to translate the most popular and classic IRL games into compelling games for all ages, geographies and abilities, starting with ForeVR Bowl.
ForeVR Bowl launched in May on Oculus and takes players into a world of bowling never seen before, from themed lanes (think the moon and underwater) and jamming soundtracks (Third Eye Blind is one) to collectible balls (a blinking alien head or a 'live' goldfish) and next gen avatars. Since launch, ForeVR Bowl has become a fixture in the Top 50 on Oculus and will soon be released on Steam. Popularity of the game is being driven by replayability, next level social, high fidelity play and a great jukebox. Take a look at this video from inside ForeVR Bowl's newest lane, Lost City Bowl.
"With ForeVR Bowl, Marcus and team have shown how to take a real-life pastime and transform it into an interactive and immersive experience that keeps players engaged, connected and having fun," said Ethan Kurzweil, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. "I look forward to experiencing new ForeVR concepts on the horizon and, personally, will be focused on improving my bowling skills so that I no longer get embarrassed at the lanes by Marcus, Doom and team."
"ForeVR Bowl and the rest of the ForeVR lineup represent the best of what's possible with VR games and, I believe, will be as important to this medium as Zynga was to mobile," said Sam Englebardt, co-founder and partner, Galaxy Digital. "Marcus and Mike are masters of blending hyper fun and social gameplay with just enough realism - and some killer music - to make you feel like you're there and make you never want to leave. I'll see you at the lanes!"
"We started the company during a pandemic and built our first game in just 10 months," said Marcus Segal, ForeVR Games CEO. "Audiences are loving ForeVR Bowl and with this raise we will be able to expand and release more games to meet the increasing demand for VR." Added Chief Creative Officer Michael Pagano Doom, "We are building games for everyone that are unique in design and graphics, but that also elevate gameplay with surprise elements and creative use of the latest tech."
Founded and run by Marcus Segal and Michael Pagano Doom, ForeVR Games is creating category defining games with social play that offer entertainment for everyone. Learn more at ForeVRGames.com.
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Original Source: ForeVR Games Raises Total of $8.5M
