A Finnish game studio, founded by former Supercell CEO Lasse Louhento, has secured $18.2 million (approximately €17 million) in funding to develop mobile video games.
Led the spherical, alongside prominent investors including Makers Fund, Index Ventures, and a consortium of others. Despite industry-wide challenges, these are indeed strong buyers, securing a substantial sum at this critical juncture, particularly given gaming’s recent trend of significant layoffs, with over 33,000 job losses across the sector in just the past two and half years. As a result of his tenure as sport lead on Clash of Clans, a phenomenally successful mobile game that has yielded $10 billion in revenue.
Griffin Gaming Companions is committed to fostering a culture of empowerment for Bit Odd, enabling the development of captivating experiences that genuinely resonate with gamers globally. I rarely secured an uncommon opportunity to interview Louhento.
The innovative startup aims to revive the element of surprise and unconventional flair in the gaming sphere, often sacrificed in favor of financial considerations prevalent in mobile gaming’s commercialized landscape. The crew’s mission is to craft captivating video games that resonate with players through evocative storytelling and innovative gameplay, rather than merely adhering to traditional benchmarks.
According to Louhento, the founders of Bit Odd started their venture because they identified a void in the gaming industry at present. As the mobile gaming industry experiences an unprecedented boom, it’s concerning that this growth has also led many studios to prioritize profit over creativity, sacrificing artistic vision for the sake of market trends and competitor analysis. Our approach differs significantly. We craft video game experiences that captivate the heart, celebrate individuality, and tap into the timeless emotional resonance of gaming legends.
Creating something truly innovative in gaming demands unwavering conviction, authenticity, and a burning passion to redefine the status quo.
the craft. As innovation drives design decisions in today’s era, Bit Odd is carving out its own unique path, one that we’re thrilled to explore alongside co-founder Lasse and his team of visionary experts, notes Pierre Planche, Partner at Griffin Gaming Partners.
Within a dynamic and thriving studio environment reminiscent of a classic atelier, Bit Odd is spearheading a revolutionary era in sports development. With profound understanding of their craft and deeply personal experiences, the team is crafting a game that transcends mere competition – it’s a thoughtfully designed odyssey aimed at fostering connections with players on a profound level, sidestepping traditional methods that often overlook the human element.
Griffin Gaming Companions, a leading global enterprise capital firm, specializes in the international gaming industry.
Company with assets under management exceeding $1.3 billion.
The company, Bit Odd, is singularly focused on providing an unparalleled mobile gaming experience, with a relentless dedication to putting gameplay at the forefront of its mission.
A unusual firm
The company’s team comprises Louhento, a former sports lead and art director at Supercell. Bit Odd is committed to fostering an environment that celebrates creative expression and individuality. The vision is clear: video games should be meticulously designed from the ground up to elevate player satisfaction.
Cruising with a small crew is never without its challenges, and we’ve had to put in the effort to find our rhythm. As we navigate through life’s twists and turns, the present moment urges us forward, our destination finally within reach,” said Louhento in a blog post. I am utterly thrilled with the outstanding performance of our team. We’ve acquired a fiery passion in our bellies, a potent blend of innovative newcomers and battle-hardened experts who’ve earned their stripes through trials and tribulations. We all yearn for the same thing: to craft video games that recapture the timeless enchantment of our beloved childhood favorites.
The studio in Helsinki boasts a profound sense of intimacy, akin to a well-appointed workshop or atelier, where creativity and craftsmanship converge in a rich tapestry of artistic endeavour.
“Not a single swing or private barista in sight.” Solely ‘overclocked’ computer systems, alongside drawing tablets and markers, shared space in our shrine dedicated to the nostalgia of previous gaming masters, a constant reminder of what drives our passion for innovation. We’re striving to create one of the greatest sports possible. What does ‘one of the best’ suggest to us? It’s not
One thing that ultimately gets lost when you become consumed by metrics or overanalyze market trends is the essence of your creative vision.
The sport was meticulously designed with passion and dedication.
“One image that can haunt your mind long after the screen has gone dark and the last pixel has faded from view,” Louhento said. We’re sitting comfortably in our new surroundings, having taken over the former home of our predecessors. This sport holds a special significance for me compared to all the previous games I’ve worked on. Ten years ago, I underwent surgery to remove a slow-growing brain tumor that was diagnosed. This experience introduced me to what I should do with the rest of my life. I’m going to continue doing what I’ve always been doing.
The company had previously secured €5 million in seed funding from Index Ventures.
Origins
Louhento, who grew up in Finland, nostalgically recalled his second-grade class’s “good friend e book” circulating with the query: “What are you going to be if you grow up.” He fondly wrote that he wanted to be a “pc game repairman,” inspired by the notion that computer games often didn’t load correctly and seemed to require some kind of maintenance.
Whether a job with such responsibilities actually existed was unclear to him. As a young boy, he had the good fortune to get his hands on his very first PC – a pioneering Commodore 64. Finland’s television landscape was once remarkably straightforward, with just two national channels to choose from. The Commodore 64 had a profound impact on Louhento’s existence. Among his numerous video game performances, one notable example is Hektik, a 1984 motion-based arcade game developed by Mastertronic.
As I stepped through the portal, I found myself transported to a fantastical realm akin to Narnia’s enchanting world. As I remain ensconced in this peculiar fantasy realm,” Louhento remarked. I think video games could be significantly enhanced. I’m in that journey. As a professional PC games technician. I’m nonetheless bought on this. I’ll take action on this.
As a result of his unsatisfactory grades, Louhento transferred to the neighborhood school. Despite his passion for gaming, he failed to complete his academic tenure at the faculty. He held a special fondness for classic point-and-click video games, particularly those developed by Sierra and other notable studios. As they crossed paths, Louhento encountered someone engaged in a peculiar activity that struck him as entertaining, and he impulsively offered to join in on the fun. That was his inaugural title, crafted with artistic flair on a pioneering Amiga PC.
The photographers required a thorough training process to produce high-quality images. In 1993, Louhento merged with Bloodhouse, before combining forces with Terramarque in 1995, marking the union of co-founders Ilari Kuittinen and Harri Tikkanen. Founded under the banner Housemarque, this Finnish studio remains the country’s most veteran active game developer. Among its most notable successes, as of 2021, is the release of Returnal.
Following his impressive performance in the international tournament, Louhento seized an opportunity to work in Dublin with Funcom, a leading sports company. He developed video games at that studio, including Pace Punks, which debuted on the PlayStation in 1999?
“That was the moment when I truly understood my capabilities.”
Unlike many Finnish game developers, Louhento diverged from the typical path of building mobile games in his home country of Nokia’s roots.
As he reminisced about his gaming past, he revealed, “I started out as a die-hard gamer.” Mobile gaming has revolutionized the industry as a whole. I worked diligently in the industry of console video games for a several-year stint.
He casually revealed that he had met someone special, his connection with her proving strong enough to draw him back to Finland permanently. With a background in extra sports-related companies, he eventually landed at Sulake, the creator of the popular online hangout spot, Habbo Resort. For nearly a decade, he dedicated himself to crafting engaging video game experiences, including the critically acclaimed Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds. After leaving Sulake, he joined Digital Chocolate, a pioneering mobile game developer founded in 2003 by Jamil Moizuddin “Journey” Hawkins.
For a period, he worked alongside Ilkka Paananen and other individuals who would go on to gain recognition in their respective fields. In 2011, Supercell recruiters approached him, persuading him to join their ranks and take on the role of sports lead and artistic director for Clash of Clans. As sports lead, every new proposal for a single initiative was funneled through Louhento. It ultimately proved to be a comprehensive program for self-improvement.
The mobile multiplayer game, launched in 2013, achieved remarkable success, yielding a staggering $10 billion in revenue before its parent company, Supercell, was acquired by Chinese conglomerate Tencent. A seasoned veteran of Supercell spent a remarkable six-and-a-half years honing his craft, playing a key role in the development of Clash Royale, which debuted in 2016.
Following his departure from Supercell, Louhento pursued various entrepreneurial ventures while also offering consulting services to other businesses. He subsequently founded Bit Odd in 2019.
Getting began and elevating cash
Initially, just three people were involved in developing sports concepts and prototypes. They initially worked on a freelance basis to cover their expenses and build up a small cushion over several years. Approximately three and a half years ago, they began to focus exclusively on their unique sport. After years of dedicated effort, the team successfully produced a functional vertical slice of the game. The current team consists of 17 crew members. The team benefits from a harmonious blend of seasoned athletes and enthusiastic newcomers, combining their collective experience and fresh perspectives to achieve success.
Formerly helming Subsequent Video games as CEO, Annina Salvén praised Louhento’s team for their approach, stating that they only sought funding once they had a playable and enjoyable vertical slice in place.
“It’s rare for a team to achieve success without external support,” “That sets the tone for fiscal responsibility.” The stark simplicity of Lasse’s observation report says it all.
Salvén was appointed CFO of the corporation, subsequently fostering connections with Peter Levin, managing director at Griffin Gaming Partners. Despite facing challenging situations in subsequent video games, Levin remained composed and level-headed, according to Salvén.
“To navigate life’s ups and downs, one needs to have bumpy experiences, and it’s equally important to find someone who can support and accommodate them.”
That’s how Griffin made his entry as the largest investor here.
Given his extensive experience in crafting hardcore video games, Louhento’s exposure to Supercell’s innovative approach to developing engaging mobile games significantly impacted his creative process.
“For me, the platform is a straightforward choice, since every individual possesses a cell phone,” Louhento stated. “I’m a joystick gamer. There hasn’t been a dedicated joystick controller specifically designed for cell phones, despite the popularity of gaming on these devices. However, I find a problem intriguing, and it’s not entirely out of the question. We immediately became engrossed in the controls.
He doesn’t elaborate further about the sport they’re involved in, except that it’s a high-energy activity. The CEO of Louhento is thrilled that their sport has struck a chord with customers. According to Louhento, the corporation’s ability to raise $18.2 million is attributed to its relatively low valuation.
He pointed out that we didn’t employ baristas.
While he noted that contemporary video games require substantial advertising and marketing budgets to gain traction.
“He’s looking for a significant investment to make that project happen,”
The corporation plans to execute a meticulous and controlled rollout of the new sport in the early stages of next year. Although improvements can take place, something may still happen. And Louhento encourages that. That’s why he was affectionately referred to as the corporate oddity.
“There’s a guaranteed celebration of eccentricity that I find utterly irresistible,” he said.
