SANTA MONICA – AUGUST 13, 2020 – PUBG Corporation, pioneer of the battle royale genre and creator of trailblazing title PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS (PUBG), today announced a $10 million USD investment in 1Up Ventures, L.P., a venture fund dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive global community of independent game developers. PUBG Corporation’s funding is an inaugural investment for 1Up Ventures, which was formed in early 2019.
“With our investment in 1Up Ventures, PUBG Corporation is looking to foster the next generation of video game developers around the world,” said C.H. Kim, CEO of PUBG Corporation. “A vibrant and diverse indie community benefits the entire industry. PUBG grew from a spirit of independence and collaboration, so we are proud to support a fund like 1Up Ventures to help create a sustainable path and environment for the industry-changing games and developers of tomorrow.”
1Up Ventures, L.P., is operated by general partner Ed Fries. A former Microsoft executive, Fries was in charge of game publishing operations through the launch of the original Xbox and has served as a board member and advisor to dozens of companies. The fund’s current portfolio includes multiple independent studios, such as Playable Worlds, established by Raph Koster, the lead designer of Ultima Online. 1Up Ventures also supports Funomena, co-founded by Robin Hunicke, who previously worked on thatgamecompany’s Journey and most recently developed Wattam with Keita Takahashi, the creator of Katamari Damacy.
For more information regarding PUBG, please visit https://www.pubg.com/, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or Twitch. For more information about 1Up Ventures, L.P., please visit https://1upfund.com/.
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About PUBG Corporation
PUBG Corporation, a member of KRAFTON, is the developer and publisher of the blockbuster battle royale video game, PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS (PUBG). Since its release, PUBG has sold over 70 million copies to date and achieved worldwide acclaim, including seven Guinness World Records and multiple game awards.
Headquartered in Korea, PUBG Corporation has multiple operational offices globally across North America, Latin America, Europe, Japan, and China. With the goal of developing PUBG as a global franchise, the company is currently undertaking a number of projects in esports, product licensing, and more. For more information about PUBG, please visit www.pubg.com.