Revolutionizing Multiplayer: The Believer Company Emerges with Ambitious Plans

The Believer Company has officially come out of stealth mode, announcing a significant $55 million Series A financing round led by Lightspeed, with participation from notable investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Riot Games, and Michael D. Eisner's Tornante Company. Founded in April 2022 by CEO Michael Chow, who previously held the position of vice president at Riot Games and co-founded Newtoy, the studio is focused on developing a "next-generation open-world game" centered around an original IP. The game promises to deliver "stories where player choices matter" and innovative gameplay systems designed to unite players rather than drive them apart. With a team comprising primarily of former Riot Games employees, including chief creative officer Jeremy Vanhoozer, who has a background at Bungie and EA, the studio aims to create a game that appeals to social players who enjoy playing with friends. However, the team emphasizes that it is open to evolving the game as it takes shape. Chief product officer Steven Snow, a founding member of Riot, highlights the studio's commitment to finding new and innovative approaches rather than simply iterating on existing products. The Believer Company also plans to expand its original IP beyond the gaming realm from an early stage, with the goal of developing it into other media forms such as music, television, and film, leveraging the expertise of Michael D. Eisner and his Tornante company. While some may view this approach as overly ambitious, the studio believes that exploring the IP through multiple media forms can help the game achieve greater success. With a focus on taking the time to get it right, the team is working diligently to create a unique gaming experience, although the exact timeline for the game's release remains uncertain.