Ares Interactive Raises $70 Million In Series A Funding Round

How much did Ares Interactive raise in its Series A funding round?

Ares Interactive secured $70 million in Series A funding, marking one of the largest early stage investments in the gaming sector in recent years. The round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from founder and executive chairman Niccolo de Masi, supporting expansion in cross platform free to play games.

What is Ares Interactive and what games do they make?

Ares Interactive, founded in 2024, is a privately held game developer and publisher focused on cross platform free to play titles. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with studios in San Francisco (7th Inning) and Berlin (Swift Games), the company emphasizes AI enabled workflows for development, marketing, and live operations. Their portfolio includes live games like Heroes vs Hordes, which has over 13 million installs, and upcoming releases such as Baseball Hits 26.

The $70 million Series A round, led by General Catalyst and including Niccolo de Masi, represents a significant vote of confidence in Ares Interactive’s model. This follows their quiet buildup, including studio acquisitions and hiring, since mid 2025. No prior funding rounds are publicly detailed, suggesting this is their first major external capital infusion.

Funds are earmarked for scaling operations, accelerating game development, potential acquisitions, and investing in shared technology infrastructure. The company plans to launch Baseball Hits 26, targeting the mobile baseball market gap left by discontinued titles like MLB Tap Sports Baseball, with more announcements expected in 2026. AI integration aims to enhance iteration speed and player engagement.

Led by President Mike DeLaet (former Scopely and Mattel executive) and Executive Chairman Niccolo de Masi (former Glu Mobile CEO), the team brings decades of experience in scaling hit games. The advisory board includes industry veterans like Chris Akhavan (ex Glu), Matt Fischer (ex Apple), Andrew Stalbow (ex Seriously), and Kent Wakeford (ex Kabam).

Ares Interactive’s recent $70 million Series A funding round underscores a pivotal moment for the young game developer and publisher, positioning it as a contender in the competitive free to play gaming landscape. Founded in 2024, the company has rapidly assembled a veteran team and portfolio, leveraging AI driven innovations to challenge established players.

The $70 million Series A investment, led by General Catalyst with participation from founder and executive chairman Niccolo de Masi, stands out as one of the largest early stage fundings for a game company in recent years. Announced via a press release from PR Newswire, the round validates Ares Interactive’s approach to building next generation, cross platform free to play games. General Catalyst’s involvement, highlighted by COO Erin Schaefer’s comments on the team’s operational experience and AI workflows, signals strong investor belief in the company’s long term vision. De Masi’s personal investment further aligns leadership incentives with growth objectives. This capital injection comes at a time when many gaming firms are retrenching, allowing Ares to “lean in” and expand thoughtfully.

In interviews, President Mike DeLaet emphasized the funding’s role in accelerating development and portfolio expansion. He noted, “This round validates our vision, our approach, and the team behind it,” underscoring the company’s disciplined playbook for game development and acquisitions. The absence of publicly disclosed prior rounds, such as seed funding, suggests this Series A is the first major external validation, following self funded or bootstrapped early operations since the company’s inception.

Ares Interactive operates as a privately held entity with headquarters in Austin, Texas, and additional studios in San Francisco (7th Inning) and Berlin (Swift Games). Currently employing around 50 staff, the company focuses on creating player loved experiences that evolve into long running franchises. Their operational model integrates veteran expertise with AI tools for faster iteration, efficient content scaling, and real time player feedback response. This AI emphasis is central to their strategy, enabling high quality output in development, art, and live operations.

The portfolio includes live titles like Heroes vs Hordes, a survival roguelike RPG with over 13 million installs and strong player ratings for its polish and live-ops excellence. Recent launches encompass Mercenary Syndicate (a tactical roguelike survival shooter), Spellix (a word adventure game), and crossovers such as Heroes vs Hordes with Ghostbusters and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Upcoming projects include Baseball Hits 26, featuring officially licensed professional baseball players, designed to fill market gaps in mobile sports gaming. Additional titles are slated for announcement in 2026.

The company remains platform agnostic to maximize reach and foster direct player relationships, a strategy DeLaet credits for long term growth.

At the helm are Niccolo de Masi, founder and executive chairman (former CEO of Glu Mobile), and Mike DeLaet, president (former global head of digital gaming at Mattel and SVP of strategic partnerships at Scopely). DeLaet highlights the team’s history of delivering multi billion dollar outcomes in mobile gaming. The advisory board bolsters this with luminaries including Chris Akhavan (former CRO, Glu), Matt Fischer (former VP and head of worldwide App Store, Apple), Andrew Stalbow (former CEO, Seriously Digital), and Kent Wakeford (former COO, Kabam). This collective experience in scaling hits like those from Glu and Kabam provides a competitive edge.

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The proceeds will fuel a mix of organic growth and acquisitions, building on prior moves like integrating Swift Games and 7th Inning. DeLaet outlined investments in shared technology for efficiency and product quality, stating, “The capital allows us to accelerate development, expand our portfolio, and invest in shared technology and infrastructure.” AI integration is a key differentiator, enabling faster responses to market demands and player preferences.

Strategically, Ares aims to create enduring franchises in underserved niches, such as mobile baseball following EA’s 2021 acquisition of Glu and subsequent closure of MLB Tap Sports Baseball. DeLaet noted, “No other baseball title has truly replaced the audience or revenue… We believe Baseball Hits 26 delivers a fun, accessible, and highly engaging experience.” This player centric approach, combined with cross platform focus, positions Ares to capture broader audiences amid shifting consumer behaviors.

The gaming industry faces headwinds, including economic caution and layoffs, yet mobile free to play remains resilient. Ares’ funding injects optimism, as noted by industry observer Dean Takahashi: “Good to see life and money coming into the game industry with this large funding for a seasoned team.” Compared to other recent rounds, such as smaller investments in AI focused studios, Ares’ $70 million highlights investor appetite for proven teams.

Opportunities lie in AI driven efficiency and crossovers, as seen in Ares’ partnerships with brands like Ghostbusters and Avatar. However, challenges include intense competition from giants like EA and Tencent, regulatory scrutiny on in-app purchases, and the need to sustain player retention in a saturated market. Social media reactions on X (formerly Twitter) reflect positive buzz, with shares from outlets like PocketGamer.biz and Mobilegamer.biz amplifying the announcement.

While the funding provides runway, risks include execution on AI promises, integration of acquisitions, and navigating economic volatility. Success hinges on launches like Baseball Hits 26 resonating with players, potentially generating significant revenue if it captures the untapped baseball audience. With a strong team and investor backing, Ares Interactive is well poised for growth, potentially emulating past successes of its leaders in building billion dollar franchises.

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