Starform Secures $6 Million in Funding to Expand Aerial Combat Game Metalstorm, Tapping into Growing Multiplayer Market
A Seattle-based video game development studio has secured additional funding to expand its aerial combat game. Starform announced it has raised $6 million in its latest financing round, with BITKRAFT Ventures leading the investment and Dune Ventures participating as well. The new capital injection brings the company’s total funding to more than $13 million, following earlier investment rounds in 2019 and 2021.
The fresh funding will enable Starform to broaden its player acquisition efforts and grow its development team as it continues work on Metalstorm, the studio’s team-based aerial combat game. The title has already attracted 3 million players across its current platforms since launching to the public last year.
Metalstorm, which pits teams of five players against each other in airborne combat, features aircraft inspired by historical models, each equipped with special abilities that reflect their real-world counterparts. The game is currently available to players through Google Play, the Apple App Store, and the Epic Games Store, with plans to expand to additional gaming platforms in 2025.
Starform’s CEO and co-founder Lou Fasulo emphasized the studio’s commitment to creating accessible gaming experiences that connect players across different platforms. “We believe in crafting
short-session experiences that unite players across platforms,” Fasulo stated. “Metalstorm is all about facilitating connections—whether among friends or new acquaintances—through shared, thrilling gameplay that fits seamlessly into busy schedules.”
The company’s founding team brings significant industry experience to the table. Established in 2018, Starform was created by four industry veterans: Lou Fasulo, Taylor Daynes, Josh Rosen, and Jason English. All four founders previously worked at Seattle mobile gaming studio Z2 before it was acquired by King in 2015.
This latest investment in Starform comes at a time when venture capital activity in the gaming sector is showing signs of recovery. According to PitchBook data, the industry has experienced four consecutive quarters of increasing total deal value, suggesting a gradual return of investor confidence following a significant downturn after the COVID-19 pandemic. This uptick marks a potential shift away from the industry’s recent period of contraction and reduced investment activity.
The recent investment demonstrates continued faith in the Seattle gaming ecosystem and the potential for success in the competitive mobile and cross-platform gaming market. As Starform works to expand Metalstorm’s reach and enhance its development capabilities, the additional funding positions the company to capitalize on the growing market for accessible, multiplayer gaming experiences.
The studio’s focus on cross-platform play and short gaming sessions aligns with current industry trends toward more flexible and inclusive gaming experiences. By emphasizing quick-play sessions and social connectivity, Metalstorm aims to appeal to both casual and dedicated players who may have limited time for gaming but still seek engaging multiplayer experiences.
With the new funding secured and a growing player base already established, Starform appears well-positioned to execute its expansion plans for Metalstorm in the coming year. The studio’s upcoming platform launches in 2025 will likely play a crucial role in determining the game’s long-term success and the company’s future growth trajectory in the competitive gaming market.
