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UK social studio Playdemic completes major funding round: at least $3 million

Looking to create second generation social gaming

UK social studio Playdemic completes major funding round: at least $3 million
UK-based social gaming studio Playdemic has completed a funding round that it hopes will enable the company to turn its vision of 'second generation social gaming' into reality.

Playdemic's refreshed warchest will be used to expand the studio's development and publishing capabilities, and to support the launch of at least four new games before the end of 2012.

It currently claims 10 million players across its web and mobile games such as Gourmet Ranch and Crossword Buddies.

Vision thing

"Social games present an incredible opportunity for companies like Playdemic who understand that social is more than just one platform or destination," explained Playdemic founder and CEO Paul Gouge, who previously headed Eidos' mobile studio. 

"This funding not only validates where we believe we can take this business, but it gives us the vital resources to accelerate our roadmap and keep growing our community of Playdemic gamers. The future of social games has potential far beyond where we are today."

For what it's worth

Exactly how much the funding round was worth is currently unclear, although Playdemic has revealed that the Watson family – grandchildren of IBM founder Thomas J Watson – has invested $3 million.

As such, David Watson will join the Playdemic board as non-executive director.

"While the barriers to entry may have risen when it comes to gaining traction via Facebook, smart companies realise that the potential for social games is only at its very beginning," explained David Watson, who is best known for his work in the healthcare and wellbeing industries.

"Paul and the Playdemic team are definitely a company that understands this, and that's why we are investing in them so they can hopefully realise their potential."
Staff Writer

PocketGamer.biz's news editor 2012-2013