Trion World Network, an online gaming firm founded by a former senior EA exec, has received a big $30 million second round of funding. The round was led by Bertelsmann, NBC Universal and Time Warner (all through their investment arms) and VC firm Rustic Canyon Partners, reports Variety. It received the first round last year from Doll Capital Management and Trinity Ventures…the two also participated in the second round.
The Redwood City, CA-based company was founded last year by Lars Buttler, a former EA executive (he was the head of EA online), along with Jon Van Caneghem, a design guru in the video game industry. The company wants to distribute games episodically, like TV shows. Trion could react daily to what people wanted from a game, and change and update the games, it says.
The company is aiming its games launch next year. Bertelsmann will be a key partner in Europe, while Trion is counting on NBCU and TW to help in North America, the company said.
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