Pine Games has raised $2.25 million at a valuation of $10 million to make mobile games in Istanbul, Turkiye.
Pine Games will focus on the casual mobile gaming sector, with a distinct focus on crafting innovative, intellectual property (IP)-based puzzle games tailored for a broad audience.
The pre-seed investment round was led by 500 Emerging Europe and Laton Ventures, with participation from Mert Gur, founder of Loop Games and creator of the hit game Match 3D.
Acknowledging the evolving landscape of digital marketing, particularly in a post privacy-centric era, Pine Games said it will adopt a strategic approach by integrating well-known IPs into its games.
This creative decision is not just a matter of artistic choice, but a savvy business move to tackle the growing challenges of user acquisition. The team has four people and aims to grow to 15.
Lean puzzle games
Before delving into the realm of IP-based puzzle games, Pine Games plans an introductory phase featuring a series of lean puzzle games. These initial releases will serve as a foundation for more intricate projects, showcasing the company’s dedication to quality and innovation, the company said.
At the core of Pine Games’ philosophy lies a commitment to developing games that transcend mere popularity, aspiring to create timeless experiences. The company aims to produce games that players will savor for years, establishing a legacy of evergreen gaming.
Pine Games boasts a trio of cofounders, each with a solid background, bringing together diverse experiences from Turkish unicorns. They include:
- Yankı Yağız Akpek, CEO: Formerly associated with Peak Games (acquired by Zynga) and cofounder of Bigger Games, Akpek played a role in the success of Toy Blast and the creation of Mergedom (acquired by Original Games).
- Burak Sarp, CTO: Previously leading teams at Turkey’s largest ecommerce decacorn, Trendyol, Sarp played a role in its continuous success. His background includes serving as a software engineer technical lead at Rovio.
- Yasin Yıldırım, art director: An early employee at Dream Games, Yıldırım contributed to the early days of Royal Match and collaborated with Yağız at Bigger Games before joining Peak Games.
Enis Hulli, general partner of 500 Emerging Europe, said in a statement, “The Turkish gaming ecosystem is primed to generate a unicorn every year, and Pine Games’ background and differentiated IP-based gaming strategy positions them as a strong contender in this evolving landscape.”
Görkem Türk, founding partner of Laton Ventures, said in a statement, “The formation of Pine Games, merging the heritages of successful unicorns into a single founding team, is an exciting testament to the groundbreaking potential this collaboration holds.”
In an email to GamesBeat, Akpek said, “We believe that the combination of smart decisions and high-quality execution is not as common in the industry as one might think. We are confident in our ability to create games that evolve and adapt to the industry’s needs, while they remain evergreen.”