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Australian creators of video games, based on Qloud 9, secure $7.5 million in seed funding round

Formers Canva software engineer and Westpac product manager join forces to establish 'Loftia', a new venture that has attracted interest from notable US investors.

Australian video game creators secure $7.5 million in seed funding through Qloud 9 investment
Australian video game creators secure $7.5 million in seed funding through Qloud 9 investment

Australian creators of video games, based on Qloud 9, secure $7.5 million in seed funding round

Loftia: A Cozy and Eco-Friendly MMORPG Gains Momentum

In the bustling world of online gaming, a new contender is making waves. Loftia, an upcoming massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, is capturing the hearts of gamers with its unique solarpunk theme and emphasis on collaboration and eco-conscious gameplay.

The game, developed by Australian-based Qloud Games, has been garnering attention for its innovative approach. Founded by Martina Qin and Michael Su, Qloud Games is a remote studio with a team of 28 members scattered across the globe. Qin, who started her tech journey at the tender age of 13 by learning to code and setting up a community server for the MMO game MapleStory, has steered Qloud Games towards success.

Loftia is not just another MMO. It's a cozy online game set in a warm, solarpunk world, as the tagline suggests. The game is inspired by popular cozy games and old-school MMOs like Club Penguin and Maple Story. But it offers a fresh twist, with a focus on eco-conscious values and encouraging players to help the environment and their community.

The game's world is designed to spark curiosity and have a meaningful impact. Players engage in community-driven activities like building eco-friendly cities, farming, crafting with green technologies (hydroponics, wind turbines, biofuel), designing homes and gadgets, and participating in server-wide sustainability quests. All of this unfolds in a non-competitive, relaxing environment that fosters creativity and social connection.

Loftia's unique positioning and early traction made it an attractive proposition for investors. Teppei Tsutsui, a general partner at GFR Fund, noted that Qloud's seed investment was an attractive proposition due to its unique positioning and early traction. The company has raised a total of $7.5 million in a seed round led by Bay Area gaming and entertainment fund GFR and Denver-headquartered Bitkraft Ventures.

The game has already gained a following of 16,000 backers on U.S. crowdfunding site Kickstarter, and its social media presence is impressive, with over 220,000 followers on Instagram and 240,000 on TikTok. After the game's launch, merchandise will be available as the Loftia IP continues to grow.

The University of Sydney reiterates that there is real money in this type of gaming. Over two-thirds of Australians regularly play games, and the global video game industry is estimated to grow to $240 billion by 2025. The growth in the gaming industry is driven by an expansion of who plays games, the types of stories and experiences told, and the careers available to those skilled in games.

Jasper Brand, a partner at Bitkraft Ventures, says that Loftia hits an underserved and high-potential intersection of cozy and social with platform potential. With its strong community engagement, innovative gameplay, and substantial backing, Loftia is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world.

[1] Loftia Official Website [2] Qloud Games Official Website [3] Loftia Kickstarter Campaign [4] GFR Fund Announcement [5] Bitkraft Ventures Announcement

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