Stoke Games raises $5.5M to create strategic shooter game

Stoke Games has raised $5.5 million in funding to pioneer a strategic shooter game.

The funding marks a significant milestone for the 14-person independent studio, which aims to evolve the shooter genre by infusing strategic elements and deliberate action, diverging from the traditional fast-paced, twitch-reflex style.

Bitkraft Ventures led the round, with participation from Riot Games, 1Up Ventures, and angel investors.

Founded by veterans with contributions to renowned titles such as League of Legends, Multiversus, and Starcraft 2, Stoke Games is on a mission to create enduring multiplayer games that challenge players while fostering a sense of community.

The studio’s inaugural project, described as “shooter-adjacent,” will feature competitive player versus player (PvP) battles with innovative twists, focusing on strategy and thoughtful actions over quick reflexes.

“Stoke Games is building something that will feel very fresh for players coming from more traditional shooters. It’s a slower-tempo game that emphasizes judgment, game knowledge, and strategy, hence why we’re calling it a strategic shooter,” said Stoke Games cofounder Veigar Bouius, in a statement. “We’ve found that there’s a big group of players who are hungry for exactly this style of game, and we’re excited to try to deliver what they’re looking for with a gameplay-first approach.”

The funding has allowed Stoke Games to conduct successful playtests with its early core community, gathering valuable feedback for further refinement. The studio has ambitious plans for expansion throughout 2024, aiming to establish a game that resonates with a diverse player base.

Jasper Brand, partner at Bitkraft Ventures, said in a statement, “The team at Stoke Games deeply understands dormant genre opportunities and executing on IP potential, creating some of the most successful multiplayer games of the last decade. We believe they validated the core tenets of a high-potential vision already early in development, so we’re incredibly excited to support them both as players and investors.”

Originally appeared on: TheSpuzz