Game start-up woos investors

By Chris Nuttall July 9, 2007

Leading media companies Bertelsmann, NBC-Universal and Time Warner have taken part in a $30m funding round for a video game start-up developing a new form of real-time gaming over broadband networks.

Silicon Valley-based Trion World Network has yet to unveil its first product or content deal but says it is poised to be a leader in an emerging global multi-billion dollar "connected entertainment" market.

Lars Buttler, Trion chief executive and the former head of Global Online at video game publisher Electronic Arts, says the start-up has a "unique twist". Story continues below advertisement

"We build games and entertainment franchises from the ground up for the connected world," he said.

"We have built a really revolutionary technology that allows us to essentially build games that are more real time and dynamic, so we can deliver storylines on a daily basis."

The most successful online game, World of Warcraft, is also able to update its virtual universe, but Mr Buttler said this was done only every few months and Trion could react daily to what people wanted from a game.

Venture capitalists DCM and Trinity Ventures, who provided initial funding a year ago, also took part in the second-round funding, which was led by Los Angeles VC firm Rustic Canyon Partners.

"We think Trion has a ground-breaking – and potentially disruptive – model for not only creating online interactive entertainment, but also for how it will be consumed and monetised," said Keith Titan, principal at Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, the European company's VC arm.