Soccerverse has announced that it has closed a strategic funding round of £2.5 million ($3.1 million), led by legendary games industry publisher Square Enix and with further participation from early investor Hiro Capital.
This takes the total funding to $4 million.
Soccerverse was founded by Andrew Gore, ex Soccer Manager CEO, and blockchain gaming pioneers Andrew Colosimo and Daniel Kraft, who worked on the first crypto game Huntercoin (2014).
The investment marks a significant milestone in Soccerverse’s journey to innovate within the popular football/soccer management genre by using blockchain technology to create a player-owned and player-led economy.
Currently in open beta testing on the Polygon blockchain, Soccerverse is a browser-based free-to-play community-driven football management simulator and trading game, in which players compete to build the best teams, also showing off their soccer smarts by trading player influence.
The funding will be used to optimise the game’s scheduled Q4 2024 launch and accelerate its subsequent growth.
“We are thrilled to partner with a global gaming company of Square Enix’s reputation as we drive innovation and excellence in our game. This investment will allow us to attain new levels of quality and to reach a global audience,” said Soccerverse’s CEO Andy Gore.
Commenting on the investment on behalf of Square Enix, Hideaki Uehara, General Manager of Investment & Business Development, added, “Soccerverse stands out as the most innovative and unique game using blockchain features in the genre. We’re eager to continue our journey with it, now from the perspective of investors as well as fans”.
Hiro Capital General Partner, Sir Ian Livingstone, added: “I dare not think about how many hours I’ve spent playing football management games over the years. I’d lapsed, but Soccerverse will inspire me to play again. The social layer and the investing in players dynamic are compelling new features. I’m looking forward to seeing Manchester City reach new heights!”
For more information, visit https://www.soccerverse.com/ or play the beta for free at https://beta.soccerverse.io/home