Ares Interactive Raises $70 Million Series A to Build a New Generation of Player-Loved Franchises
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ares Interactive, a game developer and publisher, today announced a $70 million Series A raise led by General Catalyst, with participation from founder and executive chairman Niccolo de Masi. The round represents one of the largest early-stage investments in a game company in recent years and will support Ares Interactive's vision to build a next-generation, cross-platform free-to-play game company.
Anchored by its studios 7th Inning (San Francisco) and Swift Games (Berlin), Ares pairs veteran game-making expertise with AI-enabled development, marketing, and live-ops workflows. This will allow their teams to iterate faster, scale content efficiently, and respond to player feedback in real time.
Ares Interactive is led by a veteran team of game industry leaders. It's also supported by an advisory board spanning platforms, publishing, and free-to-play, including Chris Akhavan (former CRO, Glu), Matt Fischer (former VP, Head of Worldwide App Store, Apple), Andrew Stalbow (former CEO, Seriously Digital), and Kent Wakeford (former COO, Kabam).
"This round validates our vision, our approach, and the team behind it," said Mike DeLaet, President of Ares Interactive. "Ares Interactive brings together rare operating experience and the discipline to build for the long term, as our leadership team has a long history of developing, scaling, and operating hit free-to-play games for some of the most successful publishers in the industry. In a market where many companies are pulling back, this financing gives us the ability to lean in, grow thoughtfully with exceptional partners, and invest in building games we have always wanted to make, creating experiences and communities that will keep players coming back for years to come."
"We believe Ares Interactive is uniquely positioned to build enduring hit gaming franchises by leveraging the power of AI workflows," said Erin Schaefer, COO at General Catalyst. "The team combines deep operational experience with a clear creative vision and a disciplined, long-term approach to game development. From our first conversations, it was clear they are building with players at the center, and we're excited to support them as they scale."
Ares Interactive is already operating successful live games, led by Heroes vs Hordes, the company's flagship title, which has surpassed 13 million installs to date. The ultimate survival roguelike RPG has earned strong player ratings and reviews, demonstrating Ares' focus on polish, fun-first design, and excellence in live operations.
Next up, Ares will launch Baseball Hits 26, a game designed by baseball fans for baseball fans, featuring officially licensed professional baseball players. Additional game announcements are planned for 2026.
About Ares Interactive
Founded in 2024, Ares Interactive is a privately held, next-generation, cross-platform free-to-play game developer and publisher with studios in San Francisco (7th Inning) and Berlin (Swift Games). Built by veteran leaders from some of the most respected names in interactive entertainment, the company brings deep experience shipping, scaling, and operating hit free-to-play games. Ares is focused on creating player-loved experiences designed to grow into long-running franchises and on operating live titles led by its flagship game, Heroes vs Hordes. For more information, visit the Ares Interactive website or LinkedIn.
SOURCE Ares Interactive
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