We R Interactive raises $5M for future gaming

I AM PLAYR, the company's first release, fuses live action video with immersive storytelling

Online games publisher We R Interactive announced Friday that it has raised a $5 million second round of funding from “several new high-profile figures from the music, football, advertising and finance industries,” including Paul Fitzsimons, former media sector partner at Apax Partners, and Elio Leoni-Sceti, former CEO at EMI Music.

Existing investors also participated in the round.

The publisher’s first game, I AM PLAYR, gives users a first-person perspective of living the life of a professional footballer (that’s “soccer player,” for silly Americans). Fusing live action video, interactive storytelling and first-person gameplay, the game aims to create an entire narrative and immersive experience for the user. Decisions and actions made by the gamer actually affect how the storyline unfolds.

It’s hard to imagine the look and feel of the game until you watch the trailer on the game’s dedicated website.

Though the company launched last July, I AM PLAYR was just released in March and is only playable on Facebook for now. The game is still in beta.

“Our mission at launch last year was to develop a new social games experience,” said David Rose, CEO at We R Interactive, in a prepared statement. “[W]e have created a media format that combines high-end film and gaming to offer something fresh and immersive for users”

The new funding will be used to support ongoing development and globalization of I AM PLAYR as well as to expand its portfolio with other sports and different genres like music and fashion. Additionally, the company says right on their home page that they "R Hiring," with nearly ten open positions for game developers, UI experts and more.

Headquartered in London, We R Interactive is currently made up of less than ten employees.