Riot, Bungie, Valve and Blizzard veterans launch new studio Theorycraft Games

Veterans from Riot Games, Bungie, Valve and Blizzard have secured funding to launch new game studio Theorycraft Games.

After raising $37.5 million from multiple investors, led by Chinese internet technology company NetEase, the studio is looking to recruit talent to develop a “community-driven PvP game available across multiple platforms”.

The studio is comprised of heavyweight talent. Joe Tung, CEO and founder of Theorycraft Games, was previously the executive vice president of the League of Legends franchise and the EP of Destiny and Halo. 

The former tech lead for Valorant, Overwatch and Halo, Michael Evans, is the studio’s chief technology officer. Former creative director at Bungie, Mike Tipul is on board as chief creative officer. 

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Joe Tung previously was EVP on the League of Legends franchise (Picture: Theorycraft Games)

Moby Francke is the art director, who previously worked as art director on Valorant, League of Legends, Dota 2 and Team Fortress 2. Areeb Pirani, former global revenue and finance lead on the League of Legends franchise, is chief operating officer. 

Joe Tung, CEO of Theorycraft Games, said: “We feel pretty damn fortunate — not only to have gotten off to such a great start to the studio — but to have found a group of such like-minded partners who believe like we do that games serve fundamental human needs; who support our goal of getting the game in players’ hands quickly and developing the game with them; and most importantly, who understand that we are in this for the long-term. 

“NetEase and our co-investors are the ideal group of partners to help us bring the company’s vision to life.”

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According to the press release, the Seattle and Los Angeles-based studio is “on a mission to create deep games that give everyone the chance to connect, to compete, and to be infinitely delighted by stories that place players directly in the centre”. 

They add: “Theorycraft plans to meet players right where they are, regardless of what platform they play on, where they live, or how much money they can spend.”

Considering the huge titles the staff have contributed towards, Theorycraft Games will certainly be a studio to keep an eye on. We'll likely have a few years to wait though before we see the fruits of their labour.

For more information on available job positions at the studio, check out their official website.