Juicy Button Games, a Limassol-based studio, is developing a cutting-edge 4x strategy game with a mobile-first focus after securing $3 million in seed funding from The Games Fund. This ambitious venture aims to challenge the dominance of Chinese studios in the genre, marking a significant step for European game developers on the global stage.
What is the new venture of Juicy Button Games and what support have they secured?
Juicy Button Games is developing an innovative 4x strategy game with a mobile-first approach, having secured $3 million in seed funding from The Games Fund. This investment reflects confidence in their potential to introduce a competitive European presence into a genre often dominated by Chinese studios.
Juicy Button Games: A New Force in Mobile Gaming
Juicy Button Games, an independent gaming studio located in the heart of Limassol, Cyprus, has recently secured a substantial $3 million during a seed funding round. This investment was led by The Games Fund, a venture capital firm known for its sharp focus on early-stage investments in video game developers and GameTech innovators. With a presence both in Cyprus and New York, The Games Fund brings not only financial support but also valuable industry connections to the table.
The funding is earmarked for the creation of an innovative 4x strategy game, which will be designed with a mobile-first approach. This strategic investment signifies confidence in Juicy Button Games’ potential to stand out in a genre typically dominated by Chinese studios. Juicy Button Games is on a mission to carve out a space for a competitive European presence in the market. Their ambition is to blend engaging 4x mechanics with a user-friendly experience, backed by data-driven creative marketing strategies.
A Superteam of Co-founders
At the helm of Juicy Button Games is a trio of industry veterans who bring a wealth of experience and success. Alexander Kravchuk, one of the co-founders, is a renowned figure in the mobile gaming landscape with over two decades of industry involvement. Kravchuk’s previous success includes the development of Total Battle, a leading MMO strategy game that has generated $222 million in lifetime revenue and attracted 43 million unique players worldwide.
Joining him is Anton Sinelnikov, co-founder and former game design director at Cubic Games, which was notably acquired by Nexters in a significant $100 million acquisition in 2022. Cubic Games’ flagship title, Pixel Gun 3D, has not only grossed over $220 million but also amassed an impressive 190 million downloads. Sinelnikov’s expertise in game design and his role as an angel investor are invaluable assets to Juicy Button Games.
The third pillar of this founding team is Aleksandr Zaytsev, co-founder of Panoramik Games. The studio is celebrated for its engaging mobile midcore fantasy titles, including Mighty Party, which have collectively racked up over 70 million downloads and nearly $180 million in lifetime revenue. Together, these three founders embody a powerful combination of market expertise, innovative technology, cutting-edge game design, and astute capital investment strategies.
The Games Fund’s Strategic Vision
The involvement of The Games Fund is pivotal, as it represents a partnership grounded in a shared vision for the future of mobile gaming. Ilya Karpinskiy, the co-founder and General Partner at The Games Fund, is a firm believer in the potential of the mobile games market. His philosophy emphasizes the need for strength and innovation in a highly competitive industry, likening it to a “red ocean” where only the fiercest survive.
Karpinskiy lauds the co-founders of Juicy Button Games as AAA founders and gurus in their respective domains. Their track records are filled with top-grossing titles, underscoring their prowess in the gaming industry. The Games Fund, having raised $50 million to invest in gaming startups and founders, particularly from emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe, sees Juicy Button Games as a prime example of Europe’s untapped game development potential.
A Leap from Cyprus to International Fame
Juicy Button Games, backed by the strategic and financial support of The Games Fund, is poised to ascend from its Mediterranean roots to the global gaming stage. With a wealth of collective expertise and a passionate team, Juicy Button Games is well on its way to launching and scaling high-quality, engaging games that promise to captivate players for years to come.
The synergy between The Games Fund and Juicy He Button Games heralds a new chapter in mobile gaming. Together, they are setting the stage for a journey that begins in Cyprus but aims for the pinnacle of global gaming charts. The commitment to craft a standout 4x strategy game is clear, and with this powerful alliance, the gaming community eagerly anticipates what innovative experiences Juicy Button Games will deliver next.
What is the new venture of Juicy Button Games and what support have they secured?
Juicy Button Games is developing an innovative 4x strategy game with a mobile-first approach, having secured $3 million in seed funding from The Games Fund. This investment reflects confidence in their potential to introduce a competitive European presence into a genre often dominated by Chinese studios.
Who are the co-founders of Juicy Button Games and what experience do they bring to the table?
The co-founders of Juicy Button Games are Alexander Kravchuk, Anton Sinelnikov, and Aleksandr Zaytsev. They bring a wealth of experience from successful ventures in the gaming industry, with a focus on mobile gaming. Their combined expertise includes developing games that have generated substantial revenue and attracted millions of players worldwide.
What is the strategic vision of The Games Fund in partnering with Juicy Button Games?
The Games Fund, led by Ilya Karpinskiy, aims to invest in emerging gaming startups and founders, particularly from Central and Eastern Europe. The partnership with Juicy Button Games signifies a belief in the potential of the mobile games market and a commitment to supporting European game developers in challenging the dominance of other global studios.
How does Juicy Button Games plan to differentiate themselves in the competitive gaming industry?
Juicy Button Games plans to differentiate themselves by blending engaging 4x strategy game mechanics with a user-friendly experience, backed by data-driven creative marketing strategies. Their focus on a mobile-first approach and the expertise of their co-founders positions them to carve out a space for a competitive European presence in the global gaming market.
