META Games, the creator of esports-themed mobile games, announced today it has raised $2 million in seed funding, led by BITKRAFT Esports Ventures with participation from Everblue Management, Crest Capital, and Klaas Kersting, among others. The new funding will be used to complete game development on META Games’ upcoming mobile game RIVALS, a manager game based on MOBA esports, and to begin development on future mobile games for esports fans.
Developed with the input of pro teams, RIVALS Esports Manager offers players the opportunity to watch their own team compete to reach the pinnacle of esports glory. As one of the most ambitious esports manager games on mobile, players can manage their own pro esports team, compete in PvP leagues, trade players in their roster, and create an esports legacy. Using real-time simulation to create a highlight-reel experience of a MOBA game, players can turn the tide of the game with last-minute tactic adaptations. Future integrations will include the ability to engage with favorite professional teams and brands to acquire the best sponsorship deals and have truly authentic esports experiences that mirror the real-life scenarios.
Expanding its scope to match the variety of genres represented in the spectrum of esports, META Games’ future products look to offer specific dedicated products that cater to audiences beyond just MOBAs or FPSs. By creating a portfolio of esports-themed mobile games, META Games makes it possible for fans to engage with the specific esport and genre they are most passionate about.
“We believe esports fans deserve authentic and complementary gaming experiences that reflect what they watch every day,” said Roman Frank, CEO and Founder of META Games. “By providing players with the ability to manage a professional team they are able to get a behind-the-scenes look at how some of their favorite teams operate on their path to success.”
“The integration of our players’ favorite teams, most loved esports personalities, and most iconic brands will support an incredibly authentic gaming experience across multiple game titles,” commented Philipp Karstaedt, COO and Co-Founder of META Games. “This investment will fuel our mission to develop mobile games for the global esports community.”
“By having the most popular PC esports game genres in the palm of their hand, players now have the excitement of a pro esports coach in a snack-size, on-the-go experience,” commented BITKRAFT founding partner, Malte Barth. “Similar to traditional sports, each esports genre is distinct and has its own unique fanbase which is why META Games’ vision to bring esports-themed games to these diverse, loyal audiences is extremely necessary. We believe with this funding this strong, proven team can continue its momentum of developing mobile games that address the entire audience of esports fans worldwide.”
About BITKRAFT Esports Ventures:
An early and mid-stage investor focused on the esports sector, BITKRAFT discovers, supports, and scales esports startups globally along with the industry’s most influential companies. BITKRAFT Esports Ventures was founded in 2016 by esports legend, Jens Hilgers. Hilgers previously founded ESL and served as CEO before selling the majority stake to MTG in 2015. In addition to serving as Managing Partner at BITKRAFT, Jens is the Co-Founder and Chairman of G2 Esports.
About META Games:
Headquartered in Berlin, META Games creates mobile games for esports fans. Founded by Roman Frank, Philipp Karstaedt and Arvid Hahn in 2017, META Games currently has its first title, RIVALS Esports MOBA Manager, available in Open Beta on Google Play. With its team of industry veterans from both game development and publishing, it aims to create a full suite of mobile games catering to the entire esports audience and offering an authentic experience within a virtual esports world.