Kate Upton is expensive. Sources say Machine Zone is trying to raise $500M for Game of War: Fire Age

Supermodel Kate Upton has done wonders for helping people become aware of Machine Zone‘s mobile game, Game of War: Fire Age. Commercials with her starring as Athena in the game are everywhere, both on TV and on mobile devices — including a famous Super Bowl ad. But that ubiquitous advertising presence is also creating a problem for Machine Zone, prompting the company to try to raise a new round of funding.

We’ve heard from multiple sources that Palo Alto, Calif.-based Machine Zone is seeking to raise $500 million at a multibillion-dollar valuation. So far, the round hasn’t happened, and we have heard that the pitch has met with skepticism. There’s a lot we don’t know about the funding or the financial status of Machine Zone, and, frankly, the news about the fundraising efforts puzzles us.