Naked and Hungry: Ex-Leaders from Funcom, Lockwood, and Bohemia Secure $5M to Evolve the Hardcore Survival Genre with New Studio ‘Red Rover Interactive’
Industry Vets Look to Unlock New Possibilities in Multiplayer Gaming, Fueled by Behold Ventures, The Games Fund and Lifelike Capital
A group of seasoned veterans from the gaming industry, including former leaders from Funcom, Lockwood, and Bohemia, have come together to establish a new studio called Red Rover Interactive. The primary focus of this studio is to push the boundaries of multiplayer gaming, particularly within the hardcore survival genre. With offices in Oslo, Norway, and Newcastle, England, Red Rover Interactive, under the leadership of CEO Fred Richardson, is open to interviews and eager to discuss their vision for GAAS (Games as a Service) games, as well as their specialization within the industry.
Red Rover Interactive aims to revolutionize the multiplayer gaming experience and bring innovation to the survival genre. The studio has ambitious plans for the future and is excited to reveal its upcoming projects.
The founding members of Red Rover Interactive possess an impressive collective portfolio, having worked on renowned series such as Conan Exiles, Dune Awakening, DayZ, Avakin Life, Crysis 2, Ryse, and Ghost Recon, among others. Leveraging their extensive experience in successful multiplayer-focused IP, the team intends to steer the survival genre in a fresh direction, with a strong emphasis on player agency and dramatic gameplay. Their ultimate goal is to create groundbreaking and captivating multiplayer experiences that stand out in the market.
According to CEO Fred Richardson, Red Rover Interactive believes that multiplayer interactions hold greater potential than player-versus-environment (PVE) experiences. Unlike many persistent online games that prioritize single-player gameplay with added multiplayer elements, Red Rover Interactive plans to fully embrace the power of multiplayer interactions. Their expertise in the survival genre, combined with this unique approach, promises to deliver an entirely new gaming experience.
The leadership team at Red Rover Interactive includes CEO Fred Richardson (formerly of Funcom and Ubisoft Reflections), COO Joe Stevens (formerly of Lockwood Publishing and Ubisoft Reflections), Design Director Marek Zilavy (formerly of Bohemia Interactive and Funcom), Technical Director Daniel Ratzer (formerly of Funcom), and Art Director Sebastian Zimmermann (formerly of Nordeus, Jagex, and Crytek). These experienced individuals are dedicated to cultivating mid-sized, closely-knit, co-located teams within the studio. The foundational team of 17 members, most of whom have previously collaborated, brings together their shared expertise to create engaging and immersive gaming experiences. Red Rover Interactive aspires to develop games that offer infinite engagement, catering to the era of content creation.
To support their endeavors, Red Rover Interactive has secured substantial seed investment, totaling nearly $5 million. Behold Ventures and The Games Fund have contributed to this funding, along with additional investors like Lifelike Capital, GEM Capital, Acequia Capital, and a group of angel investors.
Looking ahead, Red Rover Interactive is actively seeking talented and fearless developers who are passionate about creating extraordinary games. The studio invites developers who are ready to shape genre-defining projects to join their ranks in Oslo or Newcastle and become part of this exciting venture.
