Ares Interactive, a San Francisco, CA-based game developer and publisher, has raised $70 million in a Series A funding round led by General Catalyst.
The round also saw participation from founder and executive chairman Niccolo de Masi.
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The company plans to use the money to grow its operations and continue development.
The round ranks among the most significant early-stage investments in a game company in recent years and will support Ares Interactive’s plan to build a next-generation, cross-platform free-to-play gaming business.
“This round validates our vision, approach, and team,” said Mike DeLaet, President of Ares Interactive. “Our leadership brings deep experience in building and operating successful free-to-play games, and this funding allows us to continue investing for long-term growth with strong partners, even as others in the market pull back.”
“We believe Ares Interactive is well-positioned to build lasting game franchises by using AI-driven workflows,” said Erin Schaefer, COO at General Catalyst. “The team brings strong operating experience, a clear creative vision, and a disciplined long-term approach. From the start, it was clear they are building with players in mind, and we’re excited to support their growth.”
Ares Interactive is already running successful live games, led by its flagship title Heroes vs Hordes, which has surpassed 13 million installs. The survival roguelike RPG has received strong player ratings and reviews, reflecting the company’s focus on quality, player-first design, and effective live operations.
Next, Ares plans to launch Baseball Hits 26, a baseball game built by fans of the sport and featuring officially licensed professional players. The company also expects to announce additional titles in 2026.
About Ares Interactive
Founded in 2024, Ares Interactive is a privately held, cross-platform free-to-play game developer, and publisher with studios in San Francisco and Berlin. Built by veteran industry leaders, the company combines proven game-making experience with AI-driven development, and live ops to create player focused games that grow into long-running franchises.
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