Obelisk Studio, an established AAA co-development company with a decade of experience working on household name franchises and independent games, announced today that it has secured $2 million from The Games Fund. This specialist early-stage VC fund invests in innovative video game developers and game tech companies.
The funding will enable Obelisk to transition to creating original first-party games. Its first IP, Displacement, is an action-horror game that probes the human mind in a scenario of isolation and madness, with fierce and gory close-quarters combat.
Cyprus-based studio, co-developer of Sons of the Forest and some other famous IPs, is hiring experienced developers and designers who worked on acclaimed games like Pioneer to join the Displacement team.
Artem Dorokhin, Co-Founder and CEO of Obelisk Studio, commented:
“We’re so happy to see the excitement that ‘Displacement’ sparks in people when we recruit and tell them about the game we work on! They see the potential even at this early stage and share our vision that the market and players are waiting for a true hardcore horror game. The Games Fund has placed a lot of trust and support in Obelisk. Thanks to their resources and extensive connections in the industry, we’ve built all the critical infrastructure, made key hires, and kickstarted the company in record time.”
Alexander Vershinin, Co-Founder and Creative Producer of Obelisk Studio, said:
“While humor and drama may be culturally specific, fear is universally understood, tapping into our most primal instincts as human beings. The action-horror genre, once considered niche, has grown to the point where it can hardly be classified as niche anymore. In collaboration with specialists in the psychology of extreme survival, we are making the ‘Displacement’ the most authentic psychological horror experience possible, full of raw emotions and literally driving players crazy.”
Ilya Eremeev, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of The Games Fund, added:
“We believe that a well-crafted AA game, one that honors and builds upon the legacy of classic horror titles with soul and grit, is a clear opportunity. With one of the most experienced teams in the region, ethical management practices, and exciting original IP, the Obelisk team is attracting the best talent on the market and developing an inspiring and beautiful but truly chilling horror game. We are committed to continuing our support and investment in the growing gaming industry of Cyprus, one of our key regions, ensuring that the incredibly talented game developers will not be left alone in the dark.”
The Games Fund’s inaugural fund raised $50 million to invest in gaming companies and founders from emerging markets in central and eastern Europe, such as KEK Entertainment, Jarvi Games, and Red Rover Interactive.
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