$30 million for indies: new Blue Ocean Games fund gives independent developers a chance
The world of indie development has received new support: the newly created Blue Ocean Games venture capital fund has announced the launch of a $30 million investment fund designed to finance independent game studios. The founder of Blue Ocean Games is Damian Lee, former head of investments at Krafton, which also became one of the fund's sponsors.
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The company will implement a unique investment structure called SAIL (Structured Agreement for Indie Launch). This model provides for investment at the game concept stage and funding of $100,000 per developer (up to $300,000 per team), which will be paid over two years.
SAIL also includes a "hybrid equity and profit-sharing agreement that balances developer control with investor returns" and the retention of intellectual property rights by the creators. In addition to financial support, the fund will provide assistance in the form of "legal entity registration, accounting services and mentoring from industry veterans".
Developers supported by the fund will be organised into groups to encourage collaboration, knowledge and resource sharing. Initially, the fund will focus on solo developers and small teams, but Blue Ocean Games plans to expand this initiative to larger teams through future funds.
"There is a structural problem in the indie game industry where the gap between what investors are willing to fund, what developers dream of creating, and what players want has become too large," said Lee. "Going beyond just filling the financial gap, we're trying to rethink the ecosystem itself."
"By combining player demand with developer passion through community validation and robust funding, our goal is to create an environment where mutual benefits naturally drive success and growth. It's not just about picking winners; it's about expanding the playing field so that more visions can become reality."
Maria Pak, Head of Development at Krafton, added:
"We believe that innovation in the gaming industry often comes from the indie community, but early-stage funding is one of the biggest challenges for new developers. Blue Ocean Games offers indie developers a progressive model that provides critical financial support that facilitates a sustainable path to success. We look forward to working closely with them and seeing the incredible games that will come out of this programme."
The venture fund will also introduce the Rising Tide talent search programme. This is a series of online contests and competitions aimed at supporting developers and helping them gain recognition for their work. The first competition will start on 1 May 2025 in partnership with Global Game Jam. Applications for direct funding will be accepted on the same day.
Source: GamesIndustry
