San Francisco based developer TinyCo has secured $20 million in a fresh financing round led by Pinnacle Ventures, with Andreessen Horowitz - which has previously invested in the firm - also contributing. 

The fresh funds will be primarily used to bring in additional design and production talent to work on new titles set for release in 2014.

The cash injection comes less than a month after the firm, best known for the likes of Tiny Chef and Tiny Monsters, was forced to lay off staff.

Quality breeds success

Said layoffs were part of a wider strategic shift within the company - TinyCo having hired former Mobile Pie creative director Will Luton in the same week - with the company looking "consolidate" its operations around its San Francisco base.

Looking ahead, TinyCo CEO Suli Ali said the investment should allow the firm to create deeper, and higher quality free-to-play mobile games.  

"Mobile gamers aren't stupid – they want more from the market than uninspired clones and low production values," said Ali.

"The only path forward is to produce games that bring something special to the table. That's why we've taken the time to improve our processes and tighten our focus. We have to develop bigger, better games."

Widening the board

TinyCo has also revealed that Mike O'Brien, president and co-founder of ArenaNet and executive producer of the Guild Wars franchise, will be joining the firm's board of directors.

"With strong roots in mobile game operations and monetisation, solid leadership, and a team of world-class developers and creative talent, TinyCo is perfectly positioned to bring their studio to the next level," said O'Brien.

"Mike is an incredible executive who has built great games businesses," said Andrew N. Green, TinyCo's Head of Business Operations.

"With his breadth of experience we will expedite our learning and strengthen TinyCo's growth over the long term."

TinyCo's games have been downloaded more than 85 million across iOS and Android since 2008.