Former BioWare CEO's Mobile, Browser Start-Up Raises $15M

Rumble Entertainment, a studio founded by a group of BioWare, Zynga, and EA veterans, announced today that it has secured $15 million in its first funding round, which it will put towards the development of mobile and browser-based games, reports VentureBeat. The studio was initially founded in September by former BioWare/Pandemic CEO Greg Richardson, with other company partners including Zynga game designer and CityVille lead designer John Yoo, EA2D vice president Mark Spenner and former EA VP and CTO David O'Connor. The studio currently hosts 25 employees, most of whom have experience working at other major game developers. With the team's range of experience in traditional and social game development, Rumble aims to create games that bridge the gap between console gaming appeal with the convenience of social and mobile platforms. Company CEO Richardson told VentureBeat, "The future of video games points not at the casual audience, but rather people who know they love video games." He added that Rumble hopes to "successfully marry what makes console and PC games wonderful in terms of engagement and immersion with the lifestyle of not always being in front of a big-screen television." Rumble Entertainment is currently working on two different titles, the first of which is planned to debut early next year. In addition, the company plans to offer its own publishing platform, through which other developers will be able release their games.