The financing, led by New York’s RedBird Capital Partners, included participation from notable investors such as Galaxy Interactive, NetEase Games, Endeavor, Alignment Growth, Woodline Partners, and GTAM Partners. Julia Wittlin from RedBird Capital Partners will join the board of directors as part of the investment.

The new capital will enable Build A Rocket Boy to launch its three flagship products:

• immersive gaming and entertainment open world platform EVERYWHERE;
• AAA game series MindsEye;
• and suite of easy-to-use UGC design tools called ARCADIA.

The company is led by video game industry veteran Leslie Benzies, who was formerly president of Rockstar North. Build A Rocket Boy plans to launch the highly anticipated EVERYWHERE and the first episode of MindsEye in the near future.

Founder and chairman of Build A Rocket Boy, Mr Benzies, said: “We are excited to partner with RedBird and our other investors to help us launch EVERYWHERE, MindsEye, and what we believe will be game-changing UGC design tools in ARCADIA.

“RedBird’s expertise in building successful entertainment and media platforms will be invaluable and makes them a perfect partner.”

He continued: “I started Build A Rocket Boy so that I could continue to share the stories I love with players and give them a place to create and share.

“We believe in a future where game creation is put in the hands of the players, and we will empower them with the tools to help shape this vision with us.”

Ms Wittlin, partner at RedBird Capital leading the firm’s emerging growth investing strategy, added: “We are pleased to partner with and support exceptional talent like Leslie and the Build A Rocket Boy team as they build the next genre-defining game studio and entertainment platform.

“RedBird’s investment portfolio in media, entertainment, sports and experiential consumer enables a differentiated perspective on the gaming industry and its convergence with other forms of interactive entertainment.”