Realtime Worlds Confirms $50 Million Funding Deal

Officials from Scottish developer Realtime Worlds, best known for Xbox 360 title Crackdown and the forthcoming massively multiplayer online title APB, have confirmed earlier reports that the company has raised $50 million in Series B funding. The funding was led by investment firm Maverick Capital, with additional contributions from existing investors New Enterprise Associates and WPP. The deal follows a $31 million funding investment in 2006, from U.S. venture capital firm New Enterprise Associates (NEA). Realtime Worlds was founded by CEO and creative director David Jones, the original founder of developer DMA Design - now Rockstar North. At DMA Design, Jones oversaw the creation of the best selling Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings franchises, before leaving to form Realtime Worlds in 2002. “Securing funding of this size from partners that are leading the financial and marketing communications industries further affirms Realtime Worlds’ position as one of the most creative, respected and successful game development companies in the world,” said Jones. “Since our founding, we have been fortunate to have some of the gaming industry’s top creative talent crafting amazing, groundbreaking interactive entertainment products. With this new infusion of capital, Realtime Worlds is poised to deliver new original experiences to gamers around the globe and to push the boundaries of online gaming,” he added.