“We’re Not Just Building Our Own Studios We’re Also Looking for Partnerships” The Vision Behind Series Entertainment’s $28 Million Raise

Skeptics may question whether large language models (LLMs) can truly fulfill the lofty promises made by their most enthusiastic supporters. However, one undeniable truth is emerging: AI is transforming the gaming industry at a remarkable pace. Instead of painstakingly designing every element—from characters to potion bottles—game developers can now leverage AI to enhance the creative process, making games more interactive than ever before. Picture NPCs evolving into complex characters that can engage players in lively haggling or providing gamers with unparalleled customization options that elevate their experiences.

Series Entertainment, founded by industry veteran Pany Haritatos, this ambitious game development startup recently secured an impressive $28 million in Series A funding, attracting notable investors including Netflix, Dell Technologies Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The company’s rapid ascent follows the successful launch of its seed round just a year earlier, when it raised $7.9 million.

At the heart of Series Entertainment’s strategy is its innovative Rho Engine, heralded as the world’s first AI-native, multimodal full-stack game creation platform. This proprietary technology enables the development team to create best-in-category game experiences with unprecedented speed and efficiency. Haritatos passionately remarked, “We’re redefining the game development process with the introduction of the Rho Engine. Our platform empowers developers to bring their ideas to life faster and more efficiently than ever before.”

Series has also recently made headlines with its acquisition of Pixelberry, a studio specializing in story-driven, episodic mobile games. Known for its flagship title Choices: Stories You Play, Pixelberry has established itself as a category leader on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, captivating millions of players with its engaging narratives that explore various social topics and themes. Haritatos views this acquisition as a strategic move to enhance their studio system and deliver a diverse catalog of games that leverage their cutting-edge technology.

“Pixelberry was at the top of the list in best-in-class creators that use tech to serve their communities,” Haritatos explained. He envisions a seamless integration of the Rho Engine with Pixelberry’s strengths, enhancing the interactive fiction experience for players. The goal is to leverage AI not just for streamlining production, but also for enriching storytelling and gameplay, allowing developers to create immersive worlds that resonate with players.

While there is significant hype surrounding AI in gaming, Haritatos believes many companies focus on individual aspects of the workflow—either cutting costs or modifying specific experiences. He noted that while some tools assist in generating 2D art or brainstorming, they often fall short of delivering production-quality results. “Developers can use AI to conceive a product, but they have to execute it using traditional game development pipelines,” he stated.

Reflecting on the future, Haritatos sees Series Entertainment evolving beyond a technology company. “We wanted to ensure our branding reflects our ambition to create great games and deliver entertaining experiences to end users,” he remarked. This rebranding effort underscores the company’s commitment to becoming a leader in the gaming space, not just in tech but in engaging content.

The company has ambitious plans ahead, with multiple game projects in development and more details expected to be revealed later this year. “We’re not just building our own studios; we’re also looking for partnerships,” Haritatos explained. “The goal is to apply our technology across genres and various categories of games.”

The excitement surrounding Series is partly attributed to Haritatos himself. With decades of experience in game development, he has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. From launching his first studio during the advent of Adobe Flash to leading Snap’s games group in 2020, his impressive track record speaks volumes. Investors took note, bringing onboard heavyweights like a16z’s game-specific fund, BITKRAFT, founded by eSports pioneer Jens Hilgers, and F4 Fund, run by seasoned game makers David Kaye and Joakim Achrén.

The growth of Series Entertainment has been remarkable, expanding from just 17 employees at the start of 2024 to over 100 today. The team is a powerhouse of talent, with backgrounds from notable companies like Zynga, Machine Zone, Google, and Snap.

With its innovative approach and strong backing from industry giants, Series Entertainment is on a thrilling path. As Haritatos puts it, “We’re in a unique position to redefine gaming and deliver experiences that resonate with players.”