Elodie Games Secures $32.5M to Revolutionize Social Co-op Gaming

The Rise of Social Gaming and Elodie Games

As the pandemic reached its peak, a significant surge in online gaming occurred, with countless individuals seeking entertainment and social connection during lockdowns. However, discovering a gaming experience that is simultaneously social, cooperative, enjoyable, and accessible across multiple platforms proves surprisingly challenging. Elodie Games aims to address this gap in the market.

Founding and Vision

Elodie Games was founded by Christina Norman and David Banks, both experienced professionals in the gaming industry. Prior to establishing their own company, they contributed to the success of the globally renowned game, League of Legends, at Riot Games.

The pair, who are also life partners, departed Riot Games in 2019 and formally announced their venture in 2020. Their stated goal is to develop games centered around cooperative gameplay, cross-platform compatibility, and “endlessly engaging experiences,” hinting at a focus on open-world, sandbox-style mechanics.

Growth and Funding

Currently, the Elodie team comprises 30 individuals, with ongoing recruitment efforts. While the specifics of their current project remain largely undisclosed – the images on their website are conceptual rather than in-game assets – a private demonstration generated substantial investor interest.

This interest culminated in a $32.5 million Series A funding round led by Galaxy Interactive and a16z, with additional participation from Brian Cho of Patron and Chris Ovitz from Electric Ant. Previously, the company secured $5 million in funding in 2020, which has evidently been strategically utilized.

Addressing Friction in Multiplayer Gaming

Norman emphasized the company’s commitment to eliminating common obstacles experienced by gamers.

“We are focused on designing a game where players can readily enjoy positive experiences, more often,” she explained to TechCrunch. “This begins with removing the barriers that prevent playing with friends. Many social multiplayer games create divisions based on platform, time commitment, in-game purchases, or skill level, limiting player interaction. While some games, like Among Us, have made progress in overcoming these limitations, overall advancement has been slow, and we are eager to accelerate it.”

The Importance of Seamless Play

Even minor inconveniences can disrupt the initiation of a gaming session, such as required app or operating system updates, lobby loading issues, or platform conflicts. Often, simpler, albeit less sophisticated, games integrated into video chat applications are chosen simply because of their consistent functionality.

The ability to collectively decide on a fun activity is also a key element of the Elodie Games vision.

Challenges and the "True" Cross-Play Experience

While modern game engines like Unreal and Unity have simplified cross-platform development, it remains a complex undertaking.

“Modern engine technology certainly aids in enabling cross-play, but it doesn’t guarantee an enjoyable experience,” Banks stated. “Conventional cross-platform development methods are often slow, costly, and repetitive. Therefore, we are establishing Elodie’s development practices to achieve exceptional cross-play functionality, prioritizing what we define as the ‘true’ cross-play experience from the outset.”

“True” cross-play, as envisioned by Elodie, extends beyond simply allowing players on different platforms to connect. It aims to create a game that is equally appealing and enjoyable regardless of the platform used. The feasibility of this ambition remains to be seen, but the ultimate test will be the reception of Elodie’s game upon its release.