Starbreeze AB, an independent creator, publisher and distributor of high quality entertainment products, today announced its agreement, investing $750,000 USD in US based studio Freeform Labs, Inc. in regards to the upcoming VR game ElemenTerra. Starbreeze finances the development and receives 50% of royalties for the lifetime of the game. Freeform Labs and Starbreeze Publishing AB will each own 50% of the intellectual property rights.
ElemenTerra is a social VR world-building puzzle game, that takes place amidst a cosmic event of the cataclysmic sort. The player will be able to take on the role as a god-like deity and assist the population of the universe to rebuild the planets.
"In our continued pursuit to further advance and evolve in our understanding of virtual reality, we've cast a wide net, encompassing several areas; our hardware initiative in the StarVR HMD, developing our own VR experiences as well as in our role as a publisher for other VR centric content producers. We especially acknowledge the importance of research and a young fresh point of view as the industry is collectively exploring an entirely new medium" said Bo Andersson Klint, Starbreeze CEO. "We especially recognize the work done by Freeform Labs and have followed their progress since graduating out of USC Games & Animation. We are very excited to bring the team on board into our publishing initiative and to be able to assist in realizing the great vision they have for ElemenTerra."
"We're approaching VR world-building in a unique way that we believe is best suited to foster a prosperous community for everyone who loves to create or explore" said Max Pittsley, CEO of Freeform Labs. He continued "We couldn't have asked for a better publisher to partner with for ElemenTerra. Starbreeze's approach to VR is not only extremely innovative, but realistic and practical at the same time. We're excited to work with Starbreeze to make VR world-building fun and social."
As a part of the agreement, the three founding members, Max Pittsley, Camille Kanengiser and Ian Donahue of Freeform Labs will set up part of their operations in the Starbreeze LA offices.
More information about ElemenTerra can be found on: http://www.elementerravr.com. Further information about the game, such as release timing, platforms and pricing, will be communicated at a later date.
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Media information
More information and assets for ElemenTerra can be found in the Starbreeze press kit on www.starbreeze.com/presskit
Starbreeze Publishing
Starbreeze looks for the potential best partners and will give you the same. Any aspiring stars should contact Mikael Nermark, Starbreeze COO at business@starbreeze.com.
Starbreeze aims at becoming a catalyst for the developer's success. Projects will be selected and managed carefully and game developers will be encouraged to retain part of the IP. By leveraging its know-how in digital publishing, distribution partnerships and game marketing, Starbreeze will drive game sales and revenue over the games life-span. Read more about Starbreeze publishing business here: http://www.starbreeze.com/2015/05/starbreeze-launches-publishing-business
For more information, please contact:
Almir Listo, Global Brand Director, Starbreeze AB
Tel: +46(0)8-209 208, email: press@starbreeze.com
Maeva Sponbergs, Investor Relations & Corporate Communication, Starbreeze AB
Tel: +46(0)8-209 208, email: ir@starbreeze.com
About Starbreeze
Starbreeze AB is an independent creator, publisher and distributor of high quality entertainment products. With studios in Stockholm, Paris and Los Angeles, the company creates games by own design and through licensed content, aiming to create franchises that prosper as games and elsewhere. We live and die by gameplay.
Starbreeze's most recent games include PAYDAY 2, the adrenaline fueled bank robbing co-op game and the upcoming survival co-op FPS OVERKILL's The Walking Dead based on the hit comic series. Starbreeze is pioneering digital self-publishing, inviting developers to leverage its self-publishing knowhow on Steam, having one of the largest communities on the digital distribution platform.
Next, Starbreeze is set to develop truly immersive virtual reality experiences, integrating software and hardware in the Project StarVR and the StarVR head mounted display.
Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Starbreeze's shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm First North Premier under the tickers STAR A and STAR B with the ISIN-codes SE0007158928 (A-share) and SE0005992831 (B-share). Remium Nordic is the company's Certified Adviser. For more information, please visit http://www.starbreeze.com.
About Freeform Labs
Freeform Labs develops apps and games for virtual reality. The company aims to ignite people's passion for creativity, mastery, and exploration by empowering users to express, play, and grow with their friends, family, and fans.
Freeform Labs' flagship experience, ElemenTerra, has won recognitions from IndieCade and The Proto Awards. The company was incubated by various programs and mentors from USC, and is located in Culver City, CA. Learn more at http://freeformlabs.xyz
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