Former Riot Games Veterans Launch New Studio, The Believer Company, to Revolutionize Multiplayer Gaming

The Believer Company, a newly formed studio composed of former Riot Games employees, has officially emerged and announced that it has raised $55 million in Series A financing. The funding round was led by Lightspeed and included investments from prominent firms such as Andreessen Horowitz, Riot Games, and Michael D. Eisner's Tornante Company. Founded in April 2022, the studio is led by CEO Michael Chow, who previously served as vice president at Riot Games and co-founded Words With Friends developer Newtoy. The Believer Company is currently working on a next-generation open-world game built around an original IP, with a focus on storytelling and gameplay mechanics that foster collaboration and community engagement. According to Chow, the studio's goal is to create a long-lasting and stable foundation for its developers to produce high-quality content. The core team at The Believer Company consists of experienced industry professionals, including former Riot Games employees and individuals with backgrounds in marketing, art, and technology. Chief product officer Steven Snow, a founding member of Riot, explained that the studio is designing its debut game with social players in mind, but is open to expanding its audience as the project evolves. The Believer Company is committed to creating a game that brings players together, rather than driving them apart, by implementing gameplay systems that promote cooperation and inclusivity. The studio also plans to expand its original IP beyond video games, exploring opportunities in music, television, and film, with the support of Michael D. Eisner and his Tornante company. While some may view this as an ambitious undertaking, the studio believes that establishing a strong IP across multiple media platforms can help drive the game's success. With a focus on taking its time to get things right, The Believer Company is adopting a staged approach to development, with internal roadmaps in place to ensure accountability. Although the studio is not yet ready to announce a release date, it hopes to engage with players and share more information about its game in the near future.