GREEN BAY – A Green Bay-based video game publisher looking to fund and support Midwest-based game developers has raised $3 million from TitletownTechowner of Skee-Ball and other Wisconsin investment funds.
Midwest Games was launched earlier this year in Green Bay by Ben Kvalo, a UW-Green Bay alum, game developer and former Netflix executive. His first game, Ra Ra Boomhas been developed from Cincinnati based Gylee Games and is expected to be released soon.
TitletownTech, the venture capital firm led by the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, announced Monday that it led a $3 million funding round that included investment from a Green Bay angel investor Tundra Angels, Brightstar Wisconsin and Wisconsin Investment Partners. The company also attracted investment from Larry Treankler, owner and CEO of Skee-Ball Bay Tek Entertainment in Pulaski, and Erin Ashley Simonveteran of the video game industry and member of the fledgling esports organization XSET.
The company plans to use the $3 million investment announced Monday morning to add staff, support independent game developers and publish games.
“We are excited to invest in Midwest Games and believe in the substantial value they bring to the gaming industry, the Midwest region and our local community,” said Cordero Barkley, Partner at TitletownTech. “We recognize the transformative potential of Ben's vision and wholeheartedly support his positive impact on the gaming ecosystem and beyond.”
Midwest Games is entering the growing video game market
In case you didn't know, video games have become a huge, global business at the intersection of culture, entertainment, technology and sports.
The global video game industry in 2020 was valued $159.3 billion, according to the US International Trade Administration. An estimated 2.7 billion people play video games worldwide, and 75% of US households have at least one player.
Video game developers publish thousands of new games every year on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and on video game sites like Steam, where Ra Ra Boom will be available. On Steam alone, the number of games published each year increased from 8,145 in 2018 to 10,644 in 2022.
Midwest Games wants to open up this market to diverse talent and underrepresented regions
Midwest Games wants to create opportunities for talented video game developers and creators in the Midwest and other underrepresented regions.
It is headed by Kvalo, a Wisconsin native who has published more than 100 game titles and 50 movies. In addition to his time creating Netflix Games, Kvalo also worked at Blizzard Entertainment and 2K. He brought in several more video game and entertainment industry veterans to join him at Midwest Games, including co-founder Rob Martin and chief marketing officer Jennifer Corbett, formerly of Sony, Discovery and Crunchyroll.
In a media release, Kvalo said the $3 million funding round will help the company remove barriers facing game developers and tap into a diverse talent base in communities often overlooked by tech and video game companies.
“We see gaming as a universal language, a powerful equalizer, and through our efforts, we are shaping a more inclusive and dynamic gaming ecosystem,” Kvalo said.
I develop video games. Can Midwest Games help me?
Midwest Games has created a “developer research” page for developers with video games in mid- to late-stage development.
The company's website indicates that its team has diverse experience in game development and publishing spanning different platforms, genres and types of games.
Midwest Games can assist developers with financing, marketing, public relations, community development, production, platform management and traffic management.
TitletownTech has invested in at least four sports, entertainment and media businesses
The Packers and Microsoft launched TitletownTech in 2019 with five focus areas: Health and Wellness; agriculture, water and environment; construction and manufacturing; supply chain and logistics; and sports, media and entertainment.
Midwest Games is one of six sports, media and entertainment companies that the $95 million venture capital firm has since invested in and backed with resources. The other five companies are:
- Demiplane, a digital resource for tabletop role-playing games.
- Shalea content creation platform for social networking sites.
- Pushan AI-powered sports app platform.
- StatusPROa virtual reality game developer.
- Over timea sports network that focuses on the development, education and economic empowerment of athletes.
More on video games: TitletownTech Helps StatusPRO Launch First NFL Licensed Virtual Reality Game
Contact Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier.
