Los Angeles-based game studio Singularity 6 has taken in more funding as it expands and prepares for the launch of its first title.
The startup told TechCrunch it raised $30 million in Series B funding led by FunPlus Ventures with additional participation from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), LVP, Transcend, Anthos Capital and Mitch Lasky. . The studio has now disclosed some $49 million in funding, a hefty sum, but one that shows how investors are looking to rally behind gaming platformers in the wake of Roblox’s monster IPO.
In 2019, Singularity 6 raised a $16.5 million Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz. At the time, the studio was tight-lipped on the details of its upcoming debut title, but we’ve learned more since then.
The title, Palia, is a community simulation game that seems to be more focused on Animal Crossing-like community mechanics in an MMO environment, rather than endless battles. Last month, the studio showed off a launch trailer for the title that hinted at a good chunk of the gameplay. Palia appears to be a medieval Zelda-like environment where users can move between towns in an open world environment while farming and collecting resources to build structures in a shared world.
The company said in marketing materials that the title is “designed to build community, friendships, and a true sense of belonging.” In a statement, a16z partner Jonathan Lai called the upcoming title “warm and dynamic.”
There are still quite a few unanswered questions about the title, which is currently taking signups on its website to be alerted to pre-alpha access. We know that many VCs are betting millions on the prospect of this multiplayer title being big.