Independent game developer Classy Games has successfully secured $300,000 (1.1 million riyals) in funding. This investment aims to bolster their team size, amplify community engagement, and expedite the development of two highly anticipated games: a comedic detective adventure and a high-octane galactic survival challenge.
The funding was obtained through Exel by Merak’s substantial $80 million gaming accelerator program, an integral component of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious strategy to stimulate growth in the gaming and esports sectors across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Established in 2021 during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Classy Games set out to reconnect individuals with the simple pleasures of play, fostering worldwide connections through accessible and entertaining gaming experiences. Originating in Northern Ireland, the studio has broadened its reach to include operations in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, cultivating a globally interconnected and community-driven team.
According to the company, this new influx of capital will be strategically allocated to scale up development capabilities, expand the team, and intensify community-building initiatives.
Jamie McClenaghan, Founder and CEO of Classy Games, expressed gratitude: “We are incredibly thankful for all of the support we have received over the years, and we will continue to return that support.” He further elaborated on the studio’s design philosophy, stating, “We’re all about creating games which offer a low barrier to entry, adopt a playful aesthetic and utilise shorter gameplay sessions. By ensuring all of our games have high replay value, a UGC centric design and seasonal events. We create light hearted, whimsical and playful games for busy gamers with busy lives.”
One of Classy Games’ upcoming projects, previously known as ‘SillySuspects’, is undergoing a rebranding process prior to its release. This comical detective game promises more than just mystery-solving; it will feature a dynamic blend of intrigue, comedy, and procedurally generated environments populated with quirky characters, each harboring their own secrets and motivations. Players will assume the role of a detective tasked with cracking outrageously funny cases within an ever-evolving world.
With its unique fusion of mystery, comedy, and unpredictable elements, the studio aspires to redefine accessible entertainment and establish this title as a preferred choice for players seeking lighthearted fun with friends.
Classy Games’ inaugural title, Orbital, validated the market’s appetite for their distinct brand of playful gaming. The game organically attracted over 200,000 unique players, accumulating more than 180,000 hours of gameplay and significantly surpassing internal expectations.
“Orbital blew all of our KPIs and expectations out of the water,” McClenaghan noted. “We’ve even seen a huge demand for a PC version. While I can’t confirm anything right now, let’s just say: be on the lookout.”
Classy Games is a remote-first independent game developer with bases in Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Founded in 2021, the studio creates engaging games that ignite your imagination and bring out your inner child.
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