Unleashed, an AZ16-backed startup led by veteran game devs from Blizzard and other top brands, are developing Unleashed Realms, a best in class game experience paired with a production pipeline which leverages both gen AI and deep human expertise to make MMO development rapid, cost-effective, and highly monetizable. 

OVERVIEW

Successful MMOs are highly profitable over many years, but are extremely expensive to develop, launch, and sustain. While hits like World of Warcraft earn billions year over year, they cost well over $100 million and 5 years+ to produce. 

Led by lead developers of World of Warcraft, multi-billion dollar hits Monopoly Go, Medal of Honor, and other top AAA brands, Unleashed is a studio with a completely new approach for developing online games. 

Dubbed Realms, Unleashed’s platform leverages both gen AI and deep human expertise in growing gamer communities, making development rapid, cost-effective, and highly monetizable – scalable for both niche games with a small but passionate fanbase, to mass market MMOs with many millions of players.

Unleashed Realms features include:

Cutting-Edge AI Technology:
Advanced gen AI, procedural generation, and bespoke content tools enable powerful and cost-effective game development – giving Unleashed’s team of human artists and designers the ultimate force multiplier.

Templatized Game Development:
Gameplay UX is architected to be rapidly reusable across many multiple fantasy MMOs, simply by reskinning art and other assets. 

Deep User Engagement UX:
Built-in hooks and social mechanics to grow and sustain vibrant in-game communities that drive strong player retention – and monetization. 

Unleashed’s first proof point for Unleashed Realms is Haven: Forge Friendships to Save the World, a fantasy MMORPG designed for a mainstream crossover audience playable across multiple devices, which friends and family can enjoy together, both on a hardcore basis and in casual play.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

Unleashed’s approach with Realms has the edge on traditional studios and gen AI-facing competitors in several ways:

FUTURE READY
Unleashed Realms redefines the entire development pipeline so that gen AI does not replace but acts as a force multiplier for seasoned human developers. 

PROVEN GROWTH & MONETIZATION STRATEGY
Modeled on successful revenue strategies from Unleashed leadership across multiple games and genres, any MMO created in Unleashed Realms is ready to grow and earn money at launch.

STRONG PARTNERSHIPS & SEASONED TEAM
Backed by strategic alliances, a robust IP acquisition pipeline, and a deep bench of game industry veterans who’ve helped lead development of AAA/casual game brands (see Founding Team), Unleashed is perfectly positioned to dominate next gen game development.

KFactor-OPTIMIZED SOCIAL DESIGN
Built-in user adoption, social growth, and online community hooks based on features successfully implemented in highly profitable games.

Weaving together the latest in generative AI with time-tested best in class UX and multiplayer features that cost-effectively create active, healthy, and highly monetizable MMO player communities.

  • Develop.

    Gen AI & procedural algorithms act as a time-saving force multiplier for artists & designers, as well as endless entertainment for players.

  • Grow.

    Integrated with proven user acquisition & retention systems to grow and maintain passionate, highly monetizable communities.

  • Repeat.

    Best in class game UI/UX architected to be reusable across many multiple fantasy MMOs, simply by rapidly reskinning art and other assets.

PROVING GROUNDS

Haven will prove the power of the Realm Engine to cost-effectively create profitable online communities for all.

FOUNDING TEAM

Unleashed is led by a visionary dream team of veteran game developers, designers, and artists behind many massive hit games: 

Irena Pereira
CEO & Creative Director
20+ year veteran of the game industry, Irena was user interface engineer on World of Warcraft, and most recently led social and moment-to-moment design on Monopoly Go, growing usage by a KFactor of 2, and becoming the fastest game to earn $3 billion in revenue. 

KRIS ZIERHUT
Chief Game Designer
18 year veteran of Blizzard Entertainment across multiple titles, including principal/lead systems designer on all expansions of World of Warcraft, Diablo Immortal, and Hearthstone.

JASON HUTCHINS
OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION
Producer for World of Warcraft, EA’s Madden, Gold Fish Casino Slots, and Cloud Imperium Games’ Star Citizen - Jason brings organization and deep understanding of development pipelines to the table.

THOM ANG
Chief Art Officer
A legendary artist and first member of Disney Interactive’s art team, Thom also served as Art Director at THQ and Electronic Arts, where he led art on the Medal of Honor franchise. 

Core creative team members include Russell Brower, acclaimed music composer for World of Warcraft, Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, and many others, who will contribute new soundtracks for use by gen AI in Unleashed Realms, and Brett Close, long-standing games industry CTO and Engineering leader, joining Unleashed’s Advisory team where he is supporting Realms development.

Unleashed is also excited to announce a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore, known for his development of the Forgotten Realms universe, the iconic Drizzt, and his epic Demon Wars Saga.

Additional team members have contributed to hit games across many genres and platforms including Asheron’s Call 2, Boom Blox, Crash Bandicoot, Call of Duty, Destiny 2, Diablo 2 3 & 4, GSN Casino, Hearthstone, James Bond, Kingdoms of Amalur, Lord of the Rings Online, Starcraft, Star Trek Timelines, and Walking Dead.

OUR INVESTORS

MARK LONG : EDEN CHEN : TIPS OUT : AJ APTE : CHRISTINA NORMAN : DAVE GEURTS