Joshua Gonzales Build a Rocket Boy, a game development company based in Scotland, founded by Leslie Benzies, a former lead developer of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, has announced a successful raise of $110 million in a Series D round of funding.
A Gaming Luminary’s Venture
Leslie Benzies, renowned for his pivotal role as the former president of Rockstar North, spearheaded the development of the iconic Grand Theft Auto series. His journey with the franchise began with the third installment in 2001, extending through subsequent titles until his departure in 2016. Following a legal dispute with Rockstar over profit-sharing, Benzies embarked on his next venture, laying the groundwork for Build a Rocket Boy.
From Legal Battles to Creative Endeavors
Originally named Royal Circus Games, the company underwent a rebranding to Build a Rocket Boy in 2018. This transition followed legal objections from Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, regarding the similarity between the “RCG” acronym and Rockstar Games (RSG). Despite legal hurdles, Build a Rocket Boy secured substantial funding, totaling at least $40 million, to develop and commercialize new titles.
Anticipation for Innovative Titles
While Build a Rocket Boy’s debut titles are yet to be released, the company has teased two ambitious projects. “Everywhere,” described as an immersive open-world platform, promises a community-driven gaming experience akin to Roblox. Additionally, “MindsEye” offers a story-driven action adventure. Both titles are expected to launch in the near future, accompanied by “Arcadia,” a suite of user-generated content (UGC) design tools.
Empowering Players in Game Creation
Leslie Benzies envisions a future where players actively contribute to game creation. With Build a Rocket Boy, he aims to provide players with tools to shape their gaming experiences collaboratively. Benzies emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering a community-driven approach to game development.
Strategic Investment and Global Expansion
The Series D funding round was led by RedBird Capital Partners, with participation from prominent investors such as NetEase Games, Galaxy Interactive, Endeavor, Alignment Growth, Woodline Partners, and GTAM Partners. Build a Rocket Boy, headquartered in Edinburgh, has expanded its development presence to Budapest (Hungary) and Montpellier (France), reflecting its global ambitions.
Build a Rocket Boy’s successful fundraising underscores the industry’s confidence in Benzies’ vision and the company’s potential to redefine the gaming landscape with innovative, community-driven experiences.
